10x Possession Lost: Slot Must Brutally Ditch 6-pass Liverpool Dud After Forest Defeat
Liverpool suffered a shock defeat against Nottingham Forest at Anfield, as Callum Hudson-Odoi’s 72nd-minute goal secured victory for the visitors.
This defeat marked the first loss for the Reds under Arne Slot, who took over from Jürgen Klopp during the summer. It also saw them concede their first goal of the season.
Despite dominating the match with over 70% possession and 14 shots on goal, Slot’s team could not break through Nuno Espírito Santo’s defense, leading to a frustrating outcome.
Several players in the Liverpool lineup failed to make an impact during the game, unable to replicate the strong performances shown against teams like Manchester United, Brentford, and Ipswich.
Although this was only their fourth league match of the season, it highlighted a number of issues that need to be addressed in the coming weeks if Slot’s team is to have a successful debut season.
Until this match, Slot had enjoyed a positive start at Anfield, having won all of his competitive matches since taking charge.
Yesterday marked the first time since his appointment that they conceded a goal, which is a testament to how well he has adapted to his role at the Merseyside club.
However, the defeat raises a significant challenge for the new manager as he contemplates how his team will respond to this unexpected loss.
His team found it difficult to break through Forest’s defensive low block, often lacking the necessary intensity to force Espírito Santo’s side out of possession and capitalise on the spaces behind them.
The Tricky Trees are unlikely to be the last team to visit Anfield with such a tactical setup. If Slot’s team aims to compete for the title this season, they will need to improve their possession intensity when facing similar defensive strategies.
The situation was further complicated by subpar performances from several first-team players, with one individual particularly underperforming. The Dutch manager will likely need to make changes ahead of the club’s next match.
Why Slot Must Ditch Liverpool Ace After Forest Defeat
The match against Forest was anticipated to be difficult for Liverpool, as Espírito Santo’s team opted to sit deep in defense, surrender possession, and capitalize on counter-attacks.
Hudson-Odoi’s goal showcased the visitors’ tactics, while Diogo Jota found it challenging to influence the game, often losing possession when he managed to find openings in the defense.
The Portuguese forward played for 60 minutes in the defeat, registering three shots, with only one on target, and missed a crucial scoring chance.
| Diogo Jota’s stats against Nottingham Forest (14/09/2024) | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | Tally |
| Minutes played | 60 |
| Shots taken | 3 |
| Big chances missed | 1 |
| Touches | 22 |
| Passes completed | 6/12 (50%) |
| Possession lost | 10x |
| Duels lost | 4 |
| Dribbles completed | 0/1 (0%) |
| Stats Source: SofaScore | |
Jota struggled with connecting with his teammates during the match, as he only managed to complete six passes, averaging one pass every ten minutes. In addition, he lost possession ten times out of his 22 touches throughout his performance.
The 27-year-old also underperformed in duels, losing four out of six, and appeared lackluster for Slot’s side. His performance justified his substitution as the club prepares for their upcoming match against AC Milan on Tuesday.
Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo, who were introduced off the bench, also failed to make a significant impact. However, given Jota’s disappointing display, Slot may consider turning to one of the two players to take his place in the midweek clash.
In other Liverpool news, Five Key Lessons Arne Slot Took from Liverpool’s Defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield
