Match Report- Liverpool 3-0 Nottingham Forest. Reds long run without a win continues.

 

Nottingham Forest are now six games without a win as they fell to defeat at Anfield after losing 3-0 to Liverpool. Goals from Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Mohammed Salah was enough for the Merseyside team to keep up their strong start to the season and to keep up their 100% home record.

Jurgen Klopp made one change to his side from their last league outing after beating Everton 2-0. Nunez replaced Luis Diaz who was not involved in the Reds squad. Nunez making just his third league start of the season but has impressed the Liverpool fan base as of his latest performances. Steve Cooper made two changes to the side that capitulated in the 2-2 draw with Luton Town. Another injury enforced change saw Chris Wood come out the side for Moussa Niakhate as the Reds turned to a back five. There was also a change at left back with Ola Aina replacing Harry Toffolo.

After a quiet opening few minutes, it was Liverpool who opened the scoring. Murillo looked to go on a run from the back for Forest but was disposed which did cost the away side. Mohamed Salah playing through Darwin Nunez on the right and his across shot goal from the right was saved by Matt Turner but Diogo Jota was there on the follow up to put into an empty net. The Portuguese netting his third of the season and his third goal in his last 2 appearances against Forest after scoring a brace in last season’s encounter at Anfield. 

Liverpool then doubled their lead minutes later. Salah giving the ball to Dominik Szoboszlai on the right side of the box and he sent a low ball across which seemed to hit Nunez and find the back of the net from a yard out. The South American striker claiming his fourth goal of the season without knowing to much about it. 

That was it for the first half as Liverpool went into the dressing room 2-0 up. The Red side of Merseyside controlling the first half and were seeing a lot of the ball. A comfortable first half for Klopp’s men as they didn’t let Forest have any clear cut chances. Forest were really struggling to deal with Liverpool’s quick flowing football and were making some basic mistakes which cost them in conceding twice. 

The home side then got their third goal of the afternoon and it was a moment to forget for keeper Turner. Szoboszlai sent a long ball deep from his own half and after some miscommunication between Turner and Toffolo, the ball bounced over the pair and came to Salah who passed into an empty net. A real shocker of a moment for the USA international who, before joining Forest, hadn't of had a lot of Premier League experience.

Forest had the best chance of the afternoon late into the second half. Ryan Yates sending a cross in from the right side and Anthony Elanga met it at the back post and crashed his shot off the underside of the crossbar. The man who got two assists in the draw with Luton was a doubt through illness for the game but started in what looked like the number nine position.

Liverpool thought they added a fourth in stoppage time when substitute Harvey Elliot fired a low ball across goal for another substitute in Cody Gakpo who scored from a few yards out. But after a VAR check it was deemed that the Dutch winger was in an offside position.

It didn't make to much difference though as Liverpool claimed another three points. A comfortable performance for Klopp's side who stay in the top four and are three points off top of table Tottenham Hotspur. They next travel to AFC Bournemouth where they will look to keep up their good form and get revenge for last seasons defeat. Forest continue to be stuck in a rut with only two wins to their name this season. Cooper's side sit 16th in the league, five points ahead of the bottom three. Forest next host an inform Aston Villa side where three points will be a must.

Match Report- Crystal Palace 0-0 Nottingham Forest. Reds pick up point at injury riddled Palace.

 

Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest played out a goalless draw in the late Premier League kick off at Selhurst Park as Palace struggle to pick up three points against Forest again since the Reds return to the top flight. It is another draw for Steve Cooper's side who have now drawn three of their last four league games.

Roy Hodgson made three changes to his side that beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford. All three were injury forced as Joel Ward, Cheick Doucoure and Eberechi Eze came out the side for Jairo Riedwald, Nathaniel Clyne and Odsonne Edouard. The three players dropping out join a lengthy injury list that has now extended to over seven players. Steve Cooper made three changes to his side that drew 1-1 to Brentford. Moussa Niakhate dropped out through suspension as Harry Toffolo took his place. Taiwo Awoniyi starts his month long injury and he was replaced by Chris Wood while Morgan Gibbs-White returned to the eleven for Anthony Elanga.

It was Forest who came close first as the ball dropped to Toffolo mid way through the Palace half from a Gibbs-White corner and his powerful strike stung the palms of keeper Sam Johnstone. Toffolo making his first league start of the season following a good substitution display against Brentford in which the defender assisted the equaliser.

Forest came close again as Murillo lofted a long ball forward which Gibbs-White got on the end of and his loft over Johnstone slowly hit the post. The young English midfielder is yet to score this season and will be hoping he can find the net soon to keep living up to expectations.

The chances kept flowing for the away side and it was Murillo involved again. The Brazilian centre half made a mazy run through the Palace half beating multiple players before being denied by Johnstone, A moment of brilliance by the defender who had another strong performance after a very good debut against Brentford.

That was it for the first half as it was Forest who were dominating the proceedings with some big chances. Night and day compared to their performances away from home in the last Premier League campaign, The Reds were forced into a change though as captain Serge Aurier went off for Gonzalo Montiel with the Ivorian picking something up during the first half.

The home side then had a golden chance to take the lead. A two versus one with Edouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta against Murillo as the starter played it across to the latter for Palace but the Frenchman dragged his shot wide, It looked certain that Mateta would open his account for the new season but it was a hand in hands moment for the forward.

Forest would get another chance before the end of the game. Nicolas Dominguez beating his man before letting off a left footed shot from the edge of the box which was acrobatically saved by Johnstone. The Argentine close to scoring again following his home debut goal last week.

That was the final action of the game as both teams had to settle for a point. Palace would take the point considering their injury problems but will want to add to an unbeaten run of three league games. The Eagles travel to Newcastle United next and will look to be solid at the back again as they have also kept three consecutive clean sheets in the league. Forest will be disappointed not to be walking away with all three points due to the amount of chances they had. They next host Luton Town after the international break where they will be looking to pick up their first win since Chelsea,