What the papers say: Liverpool v Nottingham Forest

A rampant Liverpool side put three goals past Nottingham Forest at Anfield, as Steve Cooper’s side struggled to recover after conceding two in the first half. Here’s what the national newspapers had to say

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The Guardian

Luis Díaz was on Liverpool minds throughout, news of his parents’ kidnapping in Colombia making preparations for Nottingham Forest’s visit “the most difficult I’ve ever had in my life” according to Jürgen Klopp. It speaks volumes about his team’s professionalism, togetherness and quality how Forest were dismissed with consummate ease to make it eight wins in eight appearances at Anfield this season.

Díaz was understandably absent from the squad amid his family ordeal. His replacement, Diogo Jota, got his fifth goal of the campaign before Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah strikes delivered a more accurate reflection of Liverpool’s superiority. Cody Gakpo thought he had made it four in injury time but was denied by a VAR review for offside. Not since 1985-86, when Kenny Dalglish’s team won a league and FA Cup double, have Liverpool started a home campaign with eight or more consecutive wins. “I told the boys after the game that it is a really good sign that they played so well and still have so much space for improvement,” said Klopp.

The Times

It was, Jürgen Klopp said, the most difficult game he has ever had to prepare for in his life. Credit then to Liverpool for ensuring his worries could be focused solely on Luis Díaz as they served up further evidence of their blossoming progress.

There was an authority and control to this performance which meant victory over Nottingham Forest was achieved with the minimum of fuss. On a day when thoughts were inevitably with the Colombia winger, who had pulled out of the game after the kidnapping of his parents, that was just what was required.

In many respects, it felt like a throwback to yesteryear and there was a period at the start of the second half that would have delighted Klopp, even though nothing much happened.

The Telegraph

Jürgen Klopp is creating a refreshed version of Liverpool but his Ferrari upfront and the Rolls Royce at centre-back remain reassuringly consistent.

Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk straddle the eras between Klopp’s first all-conquering side and that which he hopes will replicate its success, survivors of and inspirational forces behind the Kop reconstruction.

Salah’s enduring class has never been questioned, every goal keeping those responsible for updating Anfield’s record books in weekly, meaningful employment.

With the final major contribution of the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, the Egypt international became the third Liverpool player to score in five consecutive home league games at the start of a campaign.

John Aldridge was the last to do so in 1987. You have to go back to 1922 and Harry Chambers for the only other occasion.

The Independent

Liverpool showed their support for Luis Diaz during a comfortable 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Quickfire goals from Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez before the break and Mohamed Salah’s second-half effort helped Jurgen Klopp’s side maintain their 100 per cent home record in the Premier League this season.

Jota held aloft Diaz’s number seven shirt after scoring, with the Colombian not featuring in Liverpool’s squad following reports his parents had been kidnapped in his homeland.

Liverpool’s latest victory – their eighth in a row in all competitions at Anfield – was their seventh from 10 league games this campaign and lifted them back to within three points of leaders Tottenham.

Forest rarely threatened and, although they hit the woodwork through Anthony Elanga’s late volley, they were forced to defend in numbers as their winless league run was stretched to six matches.

The Mail

Sometimes the events on the football pitch feel secondary and this was one of those days at Anfield.

All at Liverpool were saddened and spent a ‘tough night’ worrying about the ongoing situation involving Luis Diaz, whose parents were kidnapped in Colombia on Saturday night.

The Liverpool forward was set to start this match but was understandably absent from the squad and his replacement, Diogo Jota, opened the scoring and lifted Diaz’s No 7 shirt aloft in a fitting tribute. Team-mates joined Jota in hand-gesturing love-hearts and the Colombian’s No 7.

Diaz’s mother Cilenis Marulanda was ‘rescued’ after being reportedly mobbed by armed men on motorbikes, but his father Luis Manuel Diaz was still missing on Sunday night and said to be in a hostage situation. Police were offering 200million pesos for ‘information’, per local reports.

Liverpool’s attackers stepped up in lieu of Diaz as all three of them scored, with Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah also inflicting pain on an insipid Nottingham Forest to make it three wins in a week for Klopp’s men after a Merseyside Derby triumph and 5-1 demolition of Toulouse.

The Sun

Jurgen Klopp has his team playing to a different beat these days – one that is making sweet music as opposed to the heavy rock of old.

The Liverpool boss looked pleased as punch following this cruise to victory and he was right to look so happy after Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez – and of course Mo Salah – plundered the goals.

For just ten league games into what the German calls Liverpool 2.0 his side is not only re-built but re-charged and thanks especially to the flair of Dominic Szoboszlai is one playing with a belief that many in the Kop last season feared might have gone for good.

This was fun to watch, at least for the German and supporters beginning to believe again.

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