Nottingham Forest stunned Arne Slot’s Liverpool at Anfield, a 3-0 victory rooted in the successes and confidence of last season, displaying how Sean Dyche has realigned and recaptured the club while rising out of the relegation zone. George Edwards was at the match
Nottingham Forest’s unexpected and memorable victory at Anfield last season was the day everything fell into place for them under Nuno Espirito Santo. Fourteen months on, with three goals, a clean sheet and the away day of the century, Forest remarkably triumphed again in what felt like their unveiling to the world under Sean Dyche.
The Reds just don’t do well at Anfield; the history books will tell you that.
When Callum Hudson-Odoi gave 3,000 travelling Reds a moment they’d cherish forever last season, it signified Forest’s first win at Liverpool in 55 years. The ecstasy stemmed from that feeling being so rare, but after waiting all those years for a win at Anfield, two have remarkably come at once.
On that day last September, there was an overriding sense of disbelief. Forest had just scraped survival and were still finding their feet under Nuno, so winning at Anfield didn’t feel plausible.
Yesterday, however, was pure jubilation. Having done it before, we knew it could be done, making every second one to celebrate.
There was a sense of surprise that Forest were at the level to compete with Liverpool based on their start to the season, but once Murillo steered Forest ahead midway through the first half, the Forest we knew and loved was back to enjoy.
If there was one game that pinpointed why Forest were successful last season, Liverpool away would take some beating. Their 7-0 thrashing of Brighton might have been more eye-catching, but the win at Anfield personified everything that made them a success.
In victory this time around, Forest showed every attribute of both their own and their manager’s identity. Even before that Murillo goal, their drive and determination to defend their own goal at every cost was warmly familiar, weathering Liverpool’s onslaught from kick-off.
Absorbing the host’s pressure so well, it was vital that if Forest did venture forward, they made Liverpool pay, exactly what their Brazilian superstar did in emphatic style, just Forest’s third goal directly from a corner this season.
After that it was like a switch was flicked. Forest looked comfortable, assured and disciplined, and still found a way to be free.
They should have been two up shortly after taking the lead. They could have had a penalty when Alexis Mac Allister’s studs planted into Ibrahim Sangare’s shin. They cemented victory with two second-half goals at the Kop End, while only conceding one shot on target (from 35 yards) in that time.
It was the confident Forest that we had lost over recent months, brought back by the manager’s simplicity and intent.
Bringing on Omari Hutchinson for Nicolas Dominguez whilst winning away from home the perhaps the least Sean Dyche move you could think of. But he smelt blood and knew his players had it in them to outwork and outsmart Liverpool regardless of who played where.
This was a magical performance and result that meant so much to the supporters, who had for so long travelled wide and far with little reward. The fact they had a manager and coaching staff that simply got that too just added another dimension of joy to the afternoon that seemed impossible to beat.
Dyche, Stone and Woan never needed to endear themselves to the fans, but they have certainly succeeded on that front with the players, looking realigned, performing admirably and doing so to their absolute peak.
Matz Sels’ conviction and decisiveness made him the best goalkeeper in the league last season, clinching his first clean sheet since April in that same dominant style.
Murillo has had some great days in the Garibaldi, but that might just have been his best. Every ball into the penalty area he rose to, every shot towards his goal he flung himself at, deservedly capped off with his first goal of the season.
Fellow defender Nicolo Savona netted Forest’s second with a blistering finish, two goals since arriving from Juventus this summer for the 22-year-old.
Savona was thrown into the side from the bench at Arsenal in September, looking rather lost. Two months on, he is everything Forest need at right back, stoutly enforcing himself as an immovable object against one of Europe’s best attacks, as did Neco Williams on the other side.
Like Savona, Igor Jesus appears more adept with every game he plays, constantly fighting for the ball, making space and disrupting Liverpool’s defence. He may not be a consistent goal threat, but his disallowed goal proved he can finish and his overall involvement makes Forest tick in front of goal.
Elliot Anderson’s brilliance becomes clearer with every second he plays, as he outmanoeuvred all three of Liverpool’s star-studded midfield trio. And if one player exemplifies the difference Dyche has made, take one look at Morgan Gibbs-White.
Forest’s skipper looks reinvigorated, hungry to be at the heart of play, desperate to leave his mark and scoring all types of goals at key moments. He took the heat more than most did when things weren’t going well, but it’s so unsurprising to see that now Forest are finding their feet, Gibbs-White is back at the centre of everything they do.
Forest were only able to beat Liverpool because of their vast differences; their styles and outlook completely contrast, working entirely in the Reds’ favour. The result proves that Forest are successful because of their uniqueness. They tried to be conventional and ‘modern’ with Ange Postecoglou, but Nuno and Dyche’s successes prove that the Reds thrive on playing against the grain.
Sixteenth in the Premier League table is a welcome sight. The relegation zone is finally behind Forest, sitting just four points behind their opponents at the end of play. Winning at Anfield generates a bounce, pivotal that Forest use it as a foundation going into their next run of favourable fixtures, a real opportunity to put their relegation woes firmly in the rearview mirror.
Nottingham Forest could never beat Walsall or Doncaster. Facing Bournemouth and Fulham sends a shiver down the spine. Yet, somehow, they are the bogey team of Liverpool FC, the champions of England, and long may it continue.
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