Liverpool edged out a thriller with Nottingham Forest at Anfield, with both good and bad on display.
It was far from perfect from the Reds, as they struggled to deal with Forest’s long-throw tactics. But at this stage of the season, the points are all that really matters.
Here’s how we rated the players in Liverpool 3-2 Nottingham Forest.
Defence
Alisson – 6: Made a good early interception with his head and made a smart save to keep the Reds at 1-0. Almost even kept Neco Williams’ strike out, but the deflection was too much. Awful clearance led to the throw for the second goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7: Another glimpse into his immaculate passing range from the middle of the pitch. Not quite as accurate as against Leeds but still a decent outing. Another assist for a pinpoint ball into Mohamed Salah.
Ibrahima Konate – 5: Struggled a little against the physical former Liverpool man Taiwo Awoniyi. Beaten too easily from a throw in the build up to the goal. Almost got a beautiful assist for Diogo Jota with a lovely clipped ball in behind. But all things told, a bit of a stinker from the £35m man.
Virgil van Dijk – 5: A sloppy and lethargic start gave way to a okay performance from the Dutchman. Not good enough with the header which set up the second Forest equaliser.
Andy Robertson – 6: Still leaves a lot to be desired in attacking positions at times. Slow to close down Williams for the Forest goal, but gets a decent set-piece assist for Jota.
Midfield
Fabinho – 6: Wasn’t too troubled against Forest, but still picked up his customary booking. Will now miss a game with suspension. Did well to divert a header back across goal for Jota to score.
Jordan Henderson – 5: Like Van Dijk, was a little slow in possession in the first-half and didn’t offer much throughout the game. Blasted a volley over in a good position second-half which rather summed up the skipper’s day.
Curtis Jones – 6: A fourth straight outing for the Scouser, but on this display there won’t be a fifth. Neat and tidy as always but little cutting edge.
Attack
Mohamed Salah – 7: Initially a quiet day at the office for Mo, who could never quite get into the game. Then pops up with the winner with a brilliant show of strength and finish.
Cody Gakpo: – 5: Like Salah just couldn’t make enough of a nuisance of himself against the Forest defence. Unlucky to see a flicked header come back off the line, but otherwise a little too quiet.
Diogo Jota – 8 Man of the Match: Another game another brace for Diogo. In truth, another slightly strange display. Couldn’t get a sniff first-half, missed a sitter, then pops up with two goals. How about that second one? Lovely. After a year without a goal the 26-year-old has four in two games. Back to his ‘brilliant’ best.
Subs
Darwin Nunez – 6: Came on and just couldn’t effect the game. A few nice touches but not much else.
Thiago – 6: Gave the Reds a little more control, would’ve liked to have seen him start. One loose ball almost put Liverpool in trouble on the counter.
James Milner – N/A
Luis Diaz – N/A – Great to see him back at Anfield!