Man City 3-0 Liverpool: Match Review
Liverpool return to action against Nottingham Forest after losing five of their previous six Premier League matches.
The international break is usually a period that Kopites typically do not enjoy.
But given Liverpool’s recent woes, the drama-fuelled World Cup qualifying matches has proven to be a pleasant respite from domestic football. After a 3-0 loss against Manchester City, there weren’t too many supporters complaining that the Reds would be without a fixture for 13 days.
The deserved defeat at the Etihad Stadium condemned Liverpool to a fifth Premier League loss in six games. There is a significant section of supporters who feel that the Reds’ title defence is already over after 11 fixtures, with Arsenal eight points in front.
Slot will have been using the international break to try to find the ultimate solution to his side’s troubles. Last season, the Dutchman was the toast of Liverpool and, understandably, barely faced any scrutiny. But after the woeful run of results, Slot is being asked questions, as you would expect.
Liverpool’s upcoming run of league matches, on paper, is favourable. They recommence the campaign with the visit of 19th-placed Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The Reds’ squad will reassemble at the AXA Training Centre and the fitness of each player will be assessed. Liverpool’s medical team will evaluate any knocks as well as how much energy was expended in the respective international games.
And Slot will likely be pleased that two of his regular starters played fewer minutes than they could have. Mohamed Salah’s struggles so far this campaign have been well-trodden ground. Having plundered 34 goals and 23 assists in all competitions in 2024-25, Salah’s performances have been largely lacklustre this time around.
Liverpool will hope that Salah’s form hits an upturn swiftly. While he might be aged 33, the winger is still in immaculate physical condition and was rewarded with a two-year deal in April. Salah played 90 minutes for Egypt in a 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan last Friday. But to the Reds’ delight, he was not required to feature in their friendly against Cape Verde. A statement from the Egyptian FA said: “The Egyptian national football team, led by Hossam Hassan, held its training session in Al Ain in preparation for a friendly match against Cape Verde.
“The absence of the duo Ahmed Sayed Zizo and Hamdi Fathi from the Cape Verde match was also confirmed, and Salah Mohsen underwent recovery training, in addition to giving Mohamed Salah a rest, and his non-participation in the Cape Verde friendly.” As a result, Salah will have eight days of rest and recuperation ahead of the Forest encounter.
And Slot would have appreciated Ryan Gravenberch being left on the bench for Holland’s 4-0 win over Lithuania. The midfielder played in a 1-1 draw against Poland along with Liverpool team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo. The latter duo featured from the outset against Lithuania, with Gakpo scoring from the penalty spot, but Gravenberch was afforded a break and was an unused substitute.
The former Bayern Munich man has virtually been an ever-present in the Premier League and Champions League since Slot took over the Anfield hot seat. Between now and March, when the next international break takes place, there will be few opportunities for Gravenberch to take a breather. Any opportunity to sit out a game will be relished.
Andy Robertson, who captained Scotland to their first World Cup in 28 years, will arrive back after playing in two high-octane games. Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez were involved in similar intense matches as Hungary missed out on a chance to qualify for the tournament. Meanwhile, Van Dijk, Gakpo, Conor Bradley (Northern Ireland), Florian Wirtz (Germany), Hugo Ekitike (France) and Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia) played in two games and Alexander Isak did not get a chance to build fitness as he was left on the bench in a 1-1 draw with Slovenia because of suspension rules.
But Slot may take solace that Salah and Gravenberch will arrive back fresher than he might have planned.
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