"A setback" was how Arne Slot described his
first defeat as Liverpool manager, while pundit Chris Sutton declared "the
honeymoon is over".
Slot had led Liverpool to three wins out of three without
conceding since replacing Jurgen Klopp in the summer.
But they were frustrated by Nottingham Forest, who
claimed their first win at Anfield since February 1969 thanks to Callum
Hudson-Odoi's strike.
It was not a proper smash-and-grab, but Liverpool did have
the better chances - and Slot said his team made too many errors.
Liverpool were frustrated by Forest breaking up play in the
first half and their best chance came when Luis Diaz struck a post.
One team's unbeaten start was in all the headlines - and the
other team's was not. And now one of them, Forest, remain without defeat.
In fact this was Slot's first defeat in 30 games - a run
stretching back to Feyenoord's 2-1 Champions League loss at Celtic on 13
December 2023.
"Not to the process, but it is a big setback,"
said Slot of the Anfield reverse.
"If you lose a home game it’s always a setback,
especially if you face a team, we never know, maybe they will go all the way to
fight for Champions League places but normally this team is not ending up in
the top 10.
"So if you lose a game against them it’s a big
disappointment."
The Anfield faithful were clearly frustrated at how the game
was panning out and many started to leave the ground before full-time.
Former Celtic striker Sutton, at Anfield for OceanNewsUK, said: "Arne Slot's honeymoon period is over - there's plenty of work
to do.
"Arne Slot will have not wanted the international
break. His side this afternoon have been out-thought by this Forest team."
In a short post-match news conference, Slot added:
"They played a lot of long balls.
"We had a lot of ball possession but only created three
or four quite good chances. That’s not enough if you play so much in their
half. We lost the ball so many times in simple situations.
"The other team played over our press a lot with a lot
of long balls. Too many individual performances in ball possession were not up
to the standards that I’m used to from these players."
Liverpool visit AC Milan on Tuesday in their first Champions
League league phase game.
Slot has named the same side for the past three matches -
but he may well decide it is time for a change.
Nuno 'masterclass' in win
Former Blackburn striker Sutton called it a
"masterclass" by Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
The manager brought on pacy duo Hudson-Odoi and Anthony
Elanga in the second half and they combined for the goal.
"Nottingham Forest were outstanding," said former
England captain Alan Shearer on OceanNewsUK.
"The way they defended as a team was magnificent, and
this was no fluke. They stopped Liverpool every time they got into the box.
"Then they went and hit them on the break - what a
finish from Callum Hudson-Odoi. What a start to the season they've had."
Forest have won two and drawn two of their opening four
games.
"We are proud and very happy to win. I know the miles
and the distances they put in," Nuno told OceanNewsUK Match of the Day.
"We had to overrun them, that is the only way at
Anfield. Our fans haven't celebrated in Liverpool for so long, so enjoy
it."
The last time Forest won at Anfield, it was five months
before the first man landed on the moon.
"If you ignore the quality Liverpool have it is a
mistake, and we didn't," added a delighted Nuno.
"It’s all about taking your chances at the right moment,
and we did."
