Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest: Match Review
Liverpool prepare to face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League at Anfield.
Arne Slot has suggested why Dominik Szoboszlai started at right-back in Liverpool’s loss to Nottingham Forest.
Slot opted to play Dominik Szoboszlai as a makeshift full-back. However, the Hungary international has been Liverpool’s standout player this season and he was missed in midfield.
With Bradley and Frimpong still sidelined for the Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven - and Gomez potentially being carefully managed - Slot will have another decision to make. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Slot admitted that Szoboszlai is in line to start against PSV but did not hint the role he will play.
What’s been said
The Liverpool head coach said: “He is one of the options I have also there but it is also clear that Dom is very good in other areas of the pitch. I was expecting, which turned out to be true by the way, that he had a lot of ball possession against Forest from that full-back position and attacked a lot, which is what he did in the first half. We were very dangerous over our right side and our left side, by the way. Dom can play in multiple positions so let’s see where we will use him but I am going to use him, that is for sure.”
Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo was on pre-match media duty at Anfield, which suggests that he will also feature from the outset against his former club. The forward joined Liverpool from the Eredivisie champions for a fee of up to £44 million in January 2023. He has helped Liverpool win the Premier League and Carabao Cup during his time at the club, recording a total of 45 goals and 20 assists in 145 appearances.
‘It was kind of an embarrassment’
Gakpo admitted that there have been honest conversations between the Liverpool players after the recent run of results. He said: “I think obviously after the game [versus Nottingham Forest on Saturday] it was kind of an embarrassment because we lost 3-0 at home in front of our own fans, which is not good because we know they are here to help us in every tough situation.
“But we have to give them something back as well, so that was not a good feeling, obviously. I think in the days after that, I don't want to say 'angry' but we try to speak together and really to be honest with each other [about] what we have to do better to perform better on the pitch. But we know that we also have to stick together and that's what we will try to do every game again. And to put in good performances and get wins.
“I think everybody is aware we have to take responsibility, on the pitch and also off the pitch. This is just a conversation you have with a teammate, there was not really a 'meeting'. We are aware of the fact that we have to take responsibility, that we have to do better in certain things on the pitch. That's what we spoke about and obviously we are honest, because otherwise there is no point in speaking.”
Continue Reading