“The opponent today only wanted to defend and play for the long ball” - Liverpool superstar on Nottingham Forest after suffering 1-0 loss at Anfield
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has criticised the style employed by Nottingham Forest in ending their unbeaten start to the 2024-25 season under Arne Slot. The Reds suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Anfield in their Premier League clash on Saturday, September 14.
Arne Slot took over from Jürgen Klopp at the end of the 2023-24 season and led his side to three successive wins to start the season. The Reds didn't concede any goals in their opening three games, comfortably dispatching Manchester United 3-0 last time out.
Hover, Nottingham Forest showed them no respect at Anfield, claiming a first win on the ground since 1969 and sending shockwaves throughout the league. Alisson was not happy with how they came about the three points, and he made his point known to the media after the game. The Brazilian goalkeeper was critical of the system employed by their visitors, but also criticised his team for failing to take charge. He said (via DAZN):
"It was a shame, losing points at home is not good at all but the opponent today only wanted to defend and play for the long ball.
"We gave them that too easily when they scored, it was poor defensively from us. We couldn't create much, we had a lack of quality today, we needed more energy. It is three points we have lost today unnecessarily."
Former Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the only goal of the game with a fine curling effort that flew into the bottom corner in the 72nd minute. Nuno Espirito Santo's side showed the kind of grit that has kept them in the Premier League in the last two seasons to claim all three points.
Arne Slot has tasted his first defeat as Liverpool's boss and must return to the drawing board to ensure it is only a slight blip. The Reds will return to action in midweek when they face AC Milan at San Siro in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, September 17.
Why Liverpool new signing did not feature against Nottingham Forest?
Liverpool summer addition Federico Chiesa was left out of the squad that faced Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday. The 26-year-old Italian forward was tipped to make his debut in the game, having joined the Reds for around £15 million from Juventus this summer.
Chiesa turned down an opportunity to represent Italy in this month's international break to remain behind at Melwood and work with the Liverpool staff. The former Juventus man was, however, absent from the team sheet against Forest as he is deemed to be not ready for action.
Reports from OneFootball indicate that Chiesa may not feature in his side's return to Italy against AC Milan on Tuesday either. Having last played at the Euros in June, the Reds will be wary of throwing him in too early considering his extensive injury history.