Liverpool player ratings vs Nottingham Forest: 2/10 stinks, Virgil van Dijk is a monster
Liverpool maintained their position at the top of the Premier League after a 99th minute Darwin Nunez winner secured a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
The result is a huge boost to Jurgen Klopp’s side with title rivals Man City and Arsenal playing their fixtures against Man United and Sheffield United in the next two days.
PLAYER RATINGS
Caoimhín Kelleher — 8
Maintained his superlative recent form. Pulled off a brilliant first-half one-on-one save to deny Elanga in a Nottingham Forest counter-attack that would have gone to VAR. Not only do Liverpool have the world’s best number one, but the best number two as well.
Conor Bradley — 7
Gave the ball away more than usual and not quite as spritely when running up the wing as he has been at times in the last few weeks. On his 10th start in the last 12 Liverpool matches in all competitions, he looked a little jaded but defended solidly.
Liverpool remain top of the Premier League after 0-0 draw at Forest
Ibrahim Konate — 7
His recovery pace saved Liverpool’s bacon on multiple occasions and weathered pretty much every storm. Has had an outstanding month.
Virgil van Dijk — 8
Dominant and masterful – and had to be. Forest’s direct style asked a lot of the Liverpool leader and he responded with his usual monstrous authority.
Andrew Robertson — 6
Solid enough but will rue a brilliant opportunity early in the second half to put Liverpool one up. Looked baffled to be subbed at the hour mark. There’s the sense that he’s still feeling his way back after that lengthy shoulder lay-off.
Joe Gomez — 5
A square peg in a round hole in the number six role. His lack of authority and cleverness in possession hurt Liverpool’s build-up, while he was frequently found out of position when Forest counter-attacked. Time to end the midfield experiment. He’s a solid defender and able squad man, and that’s about it.
Alexis Mac Allister — 7
Liverpool needed a big performance from him with so many stars still missing from the starting XI. Grew in authority as the game wore on without quite running the show.
Bobby Clark — 6
A livewire in midfield on his full Premier League debut, the 19-year-old was a ball of energy and desire. Wasted a brilliant first-half opportunity to put Liverpool ahead and lacks the composure of his seniors but no-one could questions his willingness or desire. Replaced by Endo after an hour.
Harvey Elliott — 6
A relative veteran compared to Bradley and Clark, he took responsibility and was tidy as ever. But the right-sided attacking role plainly does not suit him and he is far more effective in a deeper role. Mohamed Salah’s return can’t come quick enough.
Cody Gakpo — 2
Stank the place out. An invisible presence for most of the match and failed to offer the cutting edge so badly needed with so many big guns still absent from the starting XI. We should also talk more about his greediness.
Luis Diaz — 6
Persistent, tireless and a serious threat on the counter-attack. But, as ever this season, his final ball, decision-making and penalty box nous – or lack of it – let him down. A glaring weakness in his game, and still nowhere near the player pre that knee injury sustained last season.
SUBSTITUTES
Darwin Nunez — 8
Introduced after an hour, captain chaos added a much-needed new dimension to the attack. His selfless running gave Forest a big headache. As for the 99th minute winner, wow. Just wow.
Dominik Szoboszlai — 6
Struggled to get involved. Feeling his way back after a lengthy lay-off.
Wataru Endo — 7
Liverpool were instantly more authoritative once their Japanese warrior entered the pitch.
Jayden Danns — 6
Konstantinos Tsimikas — 6
In other news, Liverpool superstar is leaving ‘from what I understand’ – well-connected executive reveals all.
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