Liverpool, for the second time this season, couldn’t solve the Nottingham Forest puzzle – and Daily Star Sport has a look at what Arne Slot got wrong on Tuesday evening
Nottingham Forest have once again proved a bridge too far for Arne Slot‘s Liverpool.
There was a chance for redemption on Tuesday evening at the City Ground – and Liverpool just never looked like winning the game. The Reds were downed by Forest earlier this season, and Slot’s side dropped more points on a freezing January evening.
Even after Diogo Jota’s equaliser, the Reds weren’t good enough – and Daily Star Sport has a look at what Slot got wrong during a freezing frustrating evening.
Luis Diaz’s role
Luis Diaz has so often been the difference maker for Liverpool after his move from Porto back in January 2022.
However, his role on Tuesday evening was all wrong. The Reds needed someone to push the Forest back line, and Diaz was deployed as false nine, dropping deep to try and collect the ball.
Liverpool, all too often, were trying to build attacking moves without a striker, allowing Forest to pile men between the ball and the goal. Diaz is at his best out-wide, not trying to force plays through the centre of the park.
Arne Slot’s emotions
There were just 33 minutes on the clock when Arne Slot started accosting the referee about Forest’s time wasting.
It’s in these moments when Slot needs to be leading by example – and not complaining to referees, especially so early in the game. His players will pick up on this on the pitch – almost accepting a defeated mentality so early in the game.
Slot is a great manager, he’s proved that time and time again, but he can’t act like that in the situation Liverpool found themselves in.
Liverpool’s left hand side
Liverpool need a left-back.
Andy Robertson has been a fantastic servant to the club, arguably the best left-back in the Premier League. However Slot needs to avoid the situation that’s unfolding at Manchester City with Kyle Walker – whose legs have fallen off on the pitch.
“Liverpool really need a new left back. Urgently,” one fan posted on social media. While a second said: “Midfield are tired, our left back is finished and Salah is doing his annual ghost routine. Will the owners help Slot out?”
Making the correct changes
“Arne Slot, are you watching,” cried the Liverpool fans as the clash ticked over the hour mark.
Liverpool were behind, not looking overly likely to score, and it took until the 65th minute when Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas. It didn’t take them long to make an impact.
Tsimikas whipped the ball into the box and Jota headed home. Forest were furious, protesting Cody Gakpo had fouled Matz Sels as Jota headed home – but the referee was having none of it.
Shot’s on target
Just before Liverpool fired level, a stat flashed up on TNT Sports’ broadcast – Liverpool were yet to register a shot on target.
If you don’t shoot you don’t score, but that wasn’t the problem, Liverpool had ten attempts – and not one of them was on target. It’s clear that Slot doens’t trust Darwin Nunez, but the Reds need a striker.
“What happened to the ruthless Slot, we are crying out for someone who can get a shot on target and Jota is sitting on the bench,” one fan fumed. While a second said: “Changes needed, Slot waited too long. We haven’t turned up to game again. One hour in and not a shot on target…”