Liverpool will be delighted not only by the win against Nottingham Forest, but also by the nature of that win. This was the type of game that could cause problems recently. Last season, Jurgen Klopp had a really decent record in the key matches of the “big six”.
It certainly wasn’t as good as previous seasons, but finishing in the Champions League was a respectable record. Who can forget Manchester United, who eventually finished third and lost 7-0 at Anfield?
The biggest disappointment was the “mediocre” match. Nottingham Forest is a good example of this. Liverpool won 3-2 at home and lost 1-0 at City. This time Klopp’s side were much more comfortable and in control from the start.
This is despite Liverpool adding the former Manchester United man after their last meeting with Steve Cooper. Anthony Elanga has been fighting the clock to play for a week after illness and his availability on paper is a huge boost for Cooper.
Since joining from Manchester United this summer, he has scored one goal and three assists in just under 500 minutes, two of which came last week. Elanga is not only a skilful player but also the type of proposition Liverpool hated last season. Content to get into space on the shoulders of the last man standing, Cooper tried to exploit Klopp’s pace against the high line but found little joy.
A moment in the first half showed progress compared to last season. Nottingham Forest defender Murillo effectively broke the front line of Liverpool’s press with a shot at Mohamed Salah. He then returned the ball and found Elanga to score. He followed suit by trying to catch the ball and was eventually knocked out.Moreover, Nottingham Forest were not allowed to make such a move in the first place.
The lively pressing led by the new midfielder did not allow the opposition to move at the back at will.Was it a good day at Klopp’s office? with pleasure.
Liverpool avoided the former Manchester United man’s script but came close with Elanga having two chances in the second half. Liverpool were 3-0 up at the time, so Nottingham Forest had no choice but to take the lead. The lack of counter-attacks was a huge advantage for Klopp.
But he also needed his team to absorb the collective pressure and Elanga had the chance to repeat within minutes and threaten Alisson’s free.
Whether you’re in the US, the UK, or anywhere in the world, you won’t want to miss this opportunity. It is probably no coincidence that both chances landed on Liverpool’s left.
Andy Robertson has been the unsung hero this season, with Klopp asking him to play a slightly lower defensive role. But it was the first sign that the Scot’s absence through injury will be felt in the coming months. .
All in all, it was a good performance for Kostas Tsimikas, who hasn’t made any major mistakes since taking over. We also have to remember that he is learning a new role, which requires him to play a central defender at times. But Klopp couldn’t have been happier to see Elanga unmarked at the back post from two deliveries.
It can be said that the first scored a goal. Elanga fired a brilliant cross under the goal and Alisson scored all the points. His efforts were commendable when presented with a similar opportunity, but the opportunity was still not insignificant. One question: Why was Elanga in such a large space in both cases? I don’t like Klopp either, but Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role always leaves a gap.
The Liverpool manager’s entire footballing philosophy is based on creating space and not allowing the opposition to exploit it. His main feeling was to stop the cross in front of him.Taking the first example leading to a goal, it took a very simple pass inside Tsimikas to give Ryan Yates the freedom to pass.
A tight starting position rules out the Nottingham Forest free man.Klopp doesn’t bat an eye at it, but it’s a timely reminder that Robertson deserves the award.
