PLAYER RATINGS: Taiwo Awoniyi proves match winner as Nottingham Forest stuns Liverpool
Nottingham Forest clinched their second win of the season to stun Liverpool at the City Ground on Saturday.
Taiwo Ayoniwi scored the only goal of the game 10 minutes after the break as Jurgen Klopp’s side suffered a shock setback after beating Manchester City last week.
The win pushes Forest off the bottom of the table, with Liverpool remaining seventh. James St. Denis rated the players of both teams.
Nottingham Forest players celebrate after their stunning win against Liverpool
Nottingham Forest
Dean Henderson: 8 – Did what he had to do when asked. A brilliant save at the end secured victory for the hosts.
Dean Henderson made a fantastic late save to keep an important goal clean
Serge Aurier: 7 – Solid display from the former Tottenham defender who uses his experience from the tee. Has held its own throughout.
Steve Cook: 7 – Like his defensive partner, he left everything on the pitch to give his team a much-needed result.
Scott McKenna: 7 – An absolute rock in the back, defending just an inch of his life to stop Liverpool’s attack.
Neco Williams: 6 – Very active in his defense and attack. Caused problems for the Liverpool defense when playing as an attacker.
Ryan Yates: 7.5 – Midfielder’s captaincy. Excellent protection in front of the defense and kept Liverpool midfield busy.
Ryan Yates shone in midfield for Forest and was then congratulated by Steve Cooper
Remo Freuler: 6 – Nothing sensational from the Swiss midfielder. Did what was asked of him and covered the defense well.
Cheikhou Kouyate: 7 – A fierce display from the Senegalese, with a few hasty challenges pinching a solid defensive display.
Morgan Gibbs White: 6 – Constant threat to Liverpool’s left side. Good connection play with Awoniyi and Aurier in a lively performance.
Taiwo Awoniyi: 8.5 – He was a nuisance for Liverpool’s back line and gave his side the lead early in the second half.
Taiwo Awoniyi scored the only goal of the game in the second half and helped his side win
Jess Lingard: 5 – Another underperformance from the Englishman. Sloppy possession, especially when Forest wanted to put the ball forward.
substitute
64 mins – Brennan Johnson: 6th – Fairly calm upon his arrival on the pitch but he helped his team at both ends of the pitch when they needed it most.
64 mins – Joe Worrall: 6th – Substituted to maintain Forest’s narrow lead, he did whatever it took to secure the win.
72 minutes – Renan Lodi: 6th – There isn’t much to say about the full-back. He did what was required and Forest won.
80 minutes – Orel Mangala.
Steve Cooper: A well deserved victory for the Forest Boss. His tactics were spot on and his substitutes were effective.
Steve Cooper nailed his tactics as Forest took all three points against Liverpool
Liverpool
Alison: 6.5 – Couldn’t do anything against the hosts’ opener but kept the score at one with a couple of brilliant saves.
James Milner: 5.5 – Was caught a couple of times by Forest’s front three at the break but had a solid overall performance.
Joe Gomez: 5 – Unable to shake off Awoniyi’s physical presence, resulting in a second-half caution and a lackluster performance.
Joe Gomez had a difficult game as he struggled with Awoniyi throughout
Virgil Van Dijk: 6th – Should have given the visitors the lead just before the break. Caused numerous problems from Awoniyi, but handled it well.
Andy Robertson: 5 – Nothing special about Scots. Was a distant figure at times and rarely bothered Forest as he advanced.
Harvey Eliot: 6 – Showed glimpses of potential throughout. Arguably Liverpool’s most creative and influential player of the day.
Fabino: 5.5 – Couldn’t handle the host’s electric attack and became less effective the longer the game went on.
Fabinho struggled to cope with Forest’s quick counterattacks
Curtis Jones: 5 – Weakest of Liverpool’s midfield three. Forced into errors by Forest midfield as he struggled to assert himself in the game.
Mohammed Salah: 5 – One of the weaker performances from the Egyptian in recent weeks. Owned invalid and kept under lock and key at all times.
Mohamed Salah has had one of his quieter games for Jurgen Klopp’s side in recent weeks
Roberto Firmino: 5 – Should have scored with a free header in the first half. Otherwise again a restrained performance of the Brazilian.
Fabio Carvalho: 5 – Struggled to assert himself in a very physical encounter. A rather calm game for the youngster.
substitute
62 minutes – Trent Alexander Arnold: 6th – Tried to get his team back in the game but his efforts weren’t enough to stop Forest from getting the win.
62 minutes – Jordan Henderson: 5.5 – Didn’t offer anything when he was substituted on. Not much progress when he gained possession and Forest lunged for it.
Jordan Henderson struggled to get his team going when he came off the bench
76 minutes – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Jürgen Klopp: The German couldn’t do much to change the result, the changes he made didn’t have the desired effect.
MOTM: Taiwo Awoniyi.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11343595/PLAYER-RATINGS-Taiwo-Awoniyi-proves-match-winner-Nottingham-Forest-stun-Liverpool.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 PLAYER RATINGS: Taiwo Awoniyi proves match winner as Nottingham Forest stuns Liverpool
