Nottingham Forest stun Liverpool with first win at Anfield in 55 years

Callum Hudson-Odoi’s second-half screamer saw Nottingham Forest beat Liverpool at Anfield 1-0, in a game – and a moment – that only comes around once in a lifetime. George Edwards was at the match

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When Callum Hudson-Odoi’s 72nd-minute strike kissed the inside of the post and hit the back of the net, the away end froze. A brief moment to process, Nottingham Forest had the lead, away from home, at Anfield. The Anfield. Then total ecstasy and emphatic celebration; Liverpool nil, Nottingham Forest one.

Trips to Anfield and Old Trafford are the reason Premier League football is desired so much. The chance to visit historic stadiums and go toe-to-toe with the giants of English and European football. The occasion often leaves fond memories, but the game very rarely so.

Even in their prime days of European glory, Nottingham Forest could never strike gold in Liverpool’s cauldron. Not even Brian Clough could never get the better of them. But up stepped Nuno Espírito Santo’s revitalised Reds, travelling to Anfield with fight, quality and genuine belief that the three points were within their grasp, providing the travelling support and many worldwide with perhaps the greatest away moment this century.

That’s the difference with this current side: belief. Belief that their football and style of play can more than match any side in the league. Belief in the manager, his setup and his methods. Belief that, if they stick together, anything is possible.

It’s an emotion that had seemingly evaporated from the club at times over the last few years, particularly towards the end and in the aftermath of the Steve Cooper reign. Miserable away trips and endless streaks without wins. That’s why this win feels monumental, like a moment in history, a changing of the times.

It’s easy to overreact when a result like this occurs, but there does seem to be serious reasons for positivity. The club has recruited well, plugging gaps with versatile players and ensuring the manager has whatever type of player he needs at his disposal.

It was a game where everyone was at least an 8/10, as you have to be to win at Anfield. Forest rode their luck at times, counted on their goalkeeper to keep them in it and were clinical enough to take one of the few chances that came their way, in true Callum Hudson-Odoi style.

Will he ever score a goal that isn’t a postage stamp curl from the left wing into the far corner?

Of his nine goals in the Garibaldi, that one could top the lot for a number of reasons. The opposition: scoring at Anfield in front of the away end is what dreams are made of. The goalkeeper: it has to be something very special to beat Alisson Becker, particularly from that range and angle. The accuracy: he couldn’t plant it more in the corner if he tried another 10 times.

He was one of five substitutions that worked an absolute treat from the manager, who really showed he knows how to get results from these types of games.

I was personally dubious of the selection, dropping both wingers and making real tweaks to the side and system for the first time this season, having only made one change in Forest’s opening three Premier League outings. However, the plan was spot on, with ball-playing midfielders allowing Forest to have spells of the first half on the ball, stifling Liverpool of building momentum and pressure.

Then, with the full-backs tired, on comes the pace and directness of Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga to cause chaos. They did just that, shown by the fact Andy Robertson was booked for a foul on Elanga just seconds after he entered the pitch.

A trademark Callum Hudson-Odoi to seal the victory, set up by Elanga with an inch-perfect ball across the flank to him, the substitutions that dreams are made of.

Nuno making those attacking changes once Forest had a foothold shows the real change in attitude he has brought. A point wasn’t enough; despite the opposition and occasion, the three points are up for grabs, and let’s do everything to achieve just that.

Jota Silva, Neco Williams and Morato were the other three to take their places and marshal the three points home, as the Reds kept the ball away from their penalty area by winning fouls and possession, angering the home support before many streamed out before the final whistle.

It’s hard to pick out individuals from such an inspiring team display, but the two Premier League debutants certainly deserve a mention. Aléx Moreno completely nullified Mo Salah, perhaps the most in-form player bar Erling Haaland at the start of this campaign. James Ward-Prowse also did a lot more than being the set piece merchant he’s become known as — quick on the ball and covering so much ground.

A historic day. Rather than Arne Slot becoming the first manager to keep a clean sheet in his first four matches, or becoming only the seventh manager to win his first four games, it was Nottingham Forest who etched themselves into the history books once again.

Their first win at Anfield since 1969, 25 league matches that is, while also extending their away winning streak to four games and retaining their unbeaten status in the league this season. They also compounded Liverpool to only their second home league defeat since the start of last season. Oh, and Forest were sat in the top four at 5pm.

Affection and connection between Forest fans, players and their manager is at an all-time high under the new management — the bond we know can lead to special things if gotten just right. Eight points from four games, two away wins — already more than the entirety of their first top-flight campaign — and an unbeaten record. If anything, they should and could have more points than that rather than less.