Nottingham Forest pulled off one of the shocks of the Premier League season, defeating Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield.
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s second-half goal proved to be the difference, sealing Forest’s first win at the iconic ground in over 50 years.
Liverpool, heavy favorites, dominated possession but couldn’t break down a resilient Forest defense.
Liverpool Dominates Early, But Can’t Score
The reds started strong, controlling much of the first half. Luis Diaz came close to opening the scoring in the 17th minute, hitting the post with a curling effort.
The home side had chances, but their attacks lacked the sharpness they’ve shown in previous games.
Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai couldn’t find their rhythm, and Liverpool’s passing looked off.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s trademark deliveries into the box were met with solid defending from Nottingham Forest.
For all their possession, Liverpool couldn’t convert, and the teams went into halftime with the score still 0-0.
Forest Finds Their Moment
Nottingham Forest stuck to their game plan. They defended in numbers, staying organized and waiting for their chance. That chance came in the 72nd minute.
Anthony Elanga, fresh off the bench, sent a pinpoint crossfield pass to fellow substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The 23-year-old winger cut inside from the left and curled a beautiful shot past Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson. The ball flew into the top corner, leaving Anfield stunned.
It was a moment of brilliance in a game where Forest had created very little up to that point.
Hudson-Odoi’s strike was clinical, and it gave Forest a lead that no one saw coming.
Liverpool’s Late Efforts Fall Short
Liverpool tried to respond immediately. Virgil van Dijk came close with a header from a corner, but it sailed just over the bar. The Reds threw everything forward in the final minutes, but Forest’s defense held firm.
Despite a higher expected goals (xG) of 0.87 compared to Forest’s 0.6, Liverpool struggled to create clear chances. Salah, Szoboszlai, and Diaz were all closely marked and couldn’t find the space they needed to unlock Forest’s defense.
The frustration was clear as Liverpool’s attacks fizzled out, and the final whistle blew with Nottingham Forest celebrating a famous win.
A Historic Victory for Forest
This result marked Nottingham Forest’s first win at Anfield since 1969. It was a momentous occasion for the club and a tactical masterclass from their manager, Nuno Espirito Santo. Forest absorbed Liverpool’s pressure and struck when it mattered most.
For Liverpool, the loss ended their perfect start to the season. Under new manager Arne Slot, they had won their first three games without conceding a goal. This defeat, however, exposed some vulnerabilities in their attack, especially when faced with a well-organized defense.
Betting Shock
For those following the odds, Nottingham Forest’s victory was a massive upset. Liverpool came into the match with a 77% chance of winning, according to our expert predictions at Bangbet. Forest’s odds of victory were a long shot at 12.00, just a 9% chance. But those who bet on Forest went home with a huge payout.
What’s Next?
Nottingham Forest will look to build on this success when they visit Brighton next Sunday. With eight points from four games, they’re off to a solid start.
For Liverpool, it’s back to the drawing board. They’ll need to regroup quickly with a Champions League clash against AC Milan coming up, followed by a Premier League match against Bournemouth. Slot’s men will be eager to bounce back after this unexpected setback.
In football, nothing is a guarantee. Nottingham Forest proved that with a hard-fought and historic victory at Anfield.