Nottingham Forest pulled off the most surprising result of the Premier League season so far, defeating Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on Saturday, courtesy of a brilliant second-half strike from substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The win not only marked a stunning upset but also handed Liverpool their first defeat under new manager Arne Slot, after an impressive run of three clean sheets in their opening league games.
Liverpool began the match on the front foot, dominating possession and creating a series of promising chances.
In the 17th minute, Luis Díaz came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock, striking the post after a well-worked move. Despite controlling the tempo, the home side’s attack often lacked cohesion.
Their forwards appeared out of sync, frequently misjudging passes or failing to anticipate each other’s runs, a far cry from the fluid, high-octane football Liverpool are known for.
As the first half wore on, Liverpool continued to press but couldn’t convert their dominance into goals.
Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota were both guilty of spurning key opportunities, while Forest’s defense, marshaled by Joe Worrall, held firm, frustrating the home crowd.
Despite Liverpool’s constant probing, the visitors grew into the game, clearly setting their sights on hitting the Reds on the counterattack.
The breakthrough came in the 72nd minute, and it was Forest’s substitutes who combined to deliver the decisive blow. Anthony Elanga, introduced to add fresh legs, picked up the ball deep in Forest’s half and launched a pinpoint crossfield pass to Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The former Chelsea winger, only recently returning to form, controlled the ball with ease, cut inside, and curled a sublime shot into the top corner, leaving Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson helpless.
Stunned by the goal, Liverpool tried to rally, but they struggled to break down a resolute Forest defense.
Virgil van Dijk came closest to equalizing when his towering header from a corner narrowly missed the target, but that was as close as the Reds would come. Their frustration was palpable as time ticked away, with the fluidity of their attack continuing to desert them.
For Nottingham Forest, this was a win to savour— a statement performance against one of the league’s top sides. For Liverpool, however, it was a reality check, highlighting that despite their early-season promise, they still have work to do in regaining their ruthless edge in attack.
Hudson-Odoi’s moment of magic ultimately sealed a famous victory, propelling Forest up the table while leaving Liverpool with questions to answer.
