Liverpool beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 in a Premier League classic at Anfield on Saturday afternoon. Diogo Jota scored a brace for the second consecutive match as Jurgen Klopp’s side overcame their relegation-threatened visitors in an end-to-end affair on Merseyside.
A quiet opening suddenly burst to life in the 27th minute when Forest keeper Keylor Navas pulled off an astonishing save to keep the scores level. The former Real Madrid stopper’s save kept out Virgil van Dijk’s header from point-blank range.
The Reds came close to taking the lead once more just four minutes later with Cody Gakpo’s effort cleared off the line. Steve Cooper’s side were hanging on by the slightest of margins. Jota then dragged a shot wide from just two yards out as the first-half ended goalless.
Diogo Jota is finding goal-scoring form ahead of the run-in
The Portuguese forward atoned for his mistake just two minutes after the restart. He turned the ball into an empty net from Fabinho’s header across goal.
Forest, however, were level just four minutes later. Neco Williams scored against his old club with a deflected effort from distance.
Liverpool once again displayed defensive weaknesses
The hosts, however, regained their lead within five minutes when Jota scored his second. Cooper will be undoubtedly frustrated over the poor marking which allowed Jota an easy chance.
Forest weren’t done yet, and to their credit they clawed their way back level again in the 67th minute. Most sides would have crumbled under the pressure that comes at Anfield but Cooper’s side restored parity with Morgan Gibbs-White’s brilliant finish from 16 yards.
Ultimately it wasn’t enough as Klopp’s charges had the last laugh when Mohamed Salah scored from Alexander-Arnold’s stunning free kick from the inside right channel.
Brennan Johnson did hit the crossbar in the 79th minute but Forest failed to cultivate any more clear-cut opportunities. The game was to finish at 3-2.
The result means that Liverpool are seventh with 50 points from 31 games, keeping their hopes of a top-four finish alive. Forest, meanwhile, have now lost their last four league games as they stare at the relegation trap-door in 19th place.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
