Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on November 22, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)placeholder image
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on November 22, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Arne Slot’s decision to start Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back in Liverpool’s 3-0 loss against Nottingham Forest was disputed by sections of fans.
Arne Slot suggested that Joe Gomez was not fit to feature from the outset as Liverpool’s dire form continued.
The Reds were well beaten against Forest. Heading into the game, Slot admitted that Liverpool had issues at right-back with Conor Bradley joining Jeremie Frimpong on the treatment table following the international break.
Slot opted to deploy Dominik Szoboszlai - who has been the Reds’ best midfielder and player this campaign - on the right-hand side of defence. Curtis Jones was moved to the role in the second period. Gomez, who has played in the role many times during his career, was an unused substitute.
Gomez missed some training before the game - and that’s why he did not start. The Liverpool head coach said: “We had to start the game with a midfielder at right full-back because both of our full-backs are injured. Joe Gomez is also a player who can play there but hasn't trained the whole week. I don't think he was fully ready to start this game.
“When you're 2-0 down it's not, in my opinion, really necessary to bring in a defender. Normally you prefer, at least that's what I also do, you prefer to bring in players that can score a goal.”
Liverpool’s issues throughout the season were typified against Forest. They showed little attacking spark and were insipid in defence. The Reds were the better team for the opening 30 minutes, with Alexis Mac Allister having a shot blocked on the line and Milos Kerkez missing a decent chance. But after Murillo broke the deadlock with Forest’s first real opportunity, exploiting Liverpool’s weaknesses from set-pieces, Slot’s men barely looked like scoring.
Asked if his players are becoming too nervous in front of goal, the Dutchman replied: “I don't think so yet. It's difficult for me to feel what they feel. But if I look at the way we finish these chances, I don't see a player that's lacking confidence or is hesitating. For example, the one for Macca [Alexis Mac Allister], I think he hits it perfectly but [it was] defended perfectly as well. No, I don't think that's an issue.
“But it's difficult for me to judge because I'm not there in that moment. The only thing I can see is that we do create and the finishing is as expected, but the blocks and the saves are also of quality.”
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