Not much needs to be said about Liverpool’s easy victory over Nottingham Forest, who are currently in 16th place. However, Jürgen Klopp will have seen that as a true indicator of advancement.
Considering that he only lost once to Nottingham Forest in the previous season, he won’t have been taking anything for granted. Liverpool made a lot of work of it even in the same Anfield match; Mohamed Salah had to step up to secure a 3-2 triumph.
This time, Salah’s third goal for Liverpool was somewhat less significant, although it did effectively end the match. Even while this season has seen several significant results thus far, this one may be the one that most suggests a potential title challenge.
After all, even the greatest Klopp teams have occasionally had trouble with deep blocks. That vulnerability was greatly highlighted the previous season, when Nottingham Forest was by no means the only team to find some success by defending deep and pressing rapidly.
The manager would have given anything for a few “boresome” routine victories over the lower half of the league during that campaign. This very boring win was an indication of a club that is becoming more and more adept at finishing tasks, as evidenced by the midfield, which is now far more focused on breaking down stubborn defenses, such as the flat back five used here by Steve Cooper.
Salah appears to score no matter how the game is going, but Liverpool’s ability to take an early lead and hold it will undoubtedly help his own goal total. Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota both scored goals to effectively open the game, and the Egyptian was there to benefit when Cooper moved more players forward, albeit under peculiar circumstances.
After all, even the greatest Klopp teams have occasionally had trouble with deep blocks. That vulnerability was greatly highlighted the previous season, when Nottingham Forest was by no means the only team to find some success by defending deep and pressing rapidly.
