Nottingham Forest 1-1 Liverpool: Player Ratings – Liverpool FC

It’s not often that a substitute wins the Man of the Match award, but that’s what happened in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Liverpool

Premier League (20), The City Ground
14 January 2025

Goal: Wood 8′; Jota 66′

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Alisson (out of 10) – 6th

Alisson picked the ball out of the net after just eight minutes as he returned to the team.

Being ultra critical, he was admittedly slow to come down and got a little close to his closest post, but that might be expecting too much. Otherwise reliable and not really tested.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7

After a terrible performance in the last Premier League game against Man United, Alexander-Arnold was much better here.

A great raking pass should have seen Luis Diaz do far better in a great position and he looked to create some magic than most.

Had a rough time of Callum Hudson-Odoi but handled him pretty well overall.

Ibrahima Konate – 6

Konate was mostly solid, not that it was a performance that will live long in the memory.

Liverpool’s dominance of the ball meant the Frenchman wasn’t called into action a huge amount, but he was reliable when he was. Subbed in the second half.

Virgil van Dijk – 7

Van Dijk was strong again here, as has been the case all season.

Wood was able to peel him off for the opening goal, but that was arguably the midfield’s fault for giving Anthony Elanga too much space.

A one-on-one against Elanga saw the Forest player lose all faith in getting the better of Van Dijk, summing up the aura he possesses.

Andy Robertson – 5th

Robertson was preferred over Kostas Tsimikas, but this was another unconvincing performance.

The 30-year-old was far too often loose in possession and troubled by Elanga, and he simply doesn’t look like the force of old.

Produced just two accurate crosses out of eight and failed to win a tackle.

Ryan Gravenberch – 6

Gravenberch has been magnificent this season, but he took an off night at a bad time.

The Dutchman started poorly, sending a long-range strike close to the moon, and he struggled to control the midfield.

That said, he was impressive when used in a more defensive role midway through the second half, picking up the danger and showing so much composure.

Alexis McAllister – 6

Liverpool’s Mr Dependable in the middle of the park was one of many who was a little below the level we expect from him.

He tried to create some deception and saw a shot fly wide via a deflection, but more was needed from an experienced head.

Got better as the minutes went by, like so many players.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 6

Szoboszlai was preferred over Curtis Jones in the role of no. 10, which felt like the right call by Arne Slot.

The Hungarian really struggled to stamp his authority on the game to begin with, being outmuscled at times and not producing enough quality in the final third.

His work rate was phenomenal though and he shot narrowly wide late on.

Mohamed Salah – 4

Salah has comfortably been the Premier League’s best player this season, but he was miles away from it against Forest.

The Egyptian was outplayed by ex-Liverpool man Neco Williams and was weak in the lead-up to Wood’s goal.

Lost nine duels and was guilty of wayward finishing so often before finally hitting the target but was denied twice late on.

Cody Gakpo – 6

Gakpo has arguably been Liverpool’s most consistent attacking player in recent weeks and was the best of the starting three.

There was some awful early shooting but also moments of class on the left flank and he looked a real threat late in the day.

Was agonizingly close to scoring a winner in stoppage time.

Luis Diaz – 4

Again used in a central attacking role, Diaz produced a shock for the Reds.

Abysmal decision-making when Gakpo was clean through was hugely frustrating and he couldn’t find space against a compact Forest defence.

Slot may need to reconsider using him as a false nine.

Deputies

Diogo Jota (on for Konate, 65′) – 9 (Man of the Match)

Scored within seconds of coming on and changed the game completely, and was also denied twice by Matz Sels – the three being the Reds’ first three shots on target of the game.

Should start at Brentford on Saturday after this brilliant cameo.

Kostas Tsimikas (on for Robertson, 65′) – 7

Assisted Jota immediately with an accurate corner and feels like a better option than Robertson now.

Curtis Jones (on for Diaz, 74′) – 6

Probably slowed things down too much in possession.

Unused substitutes: Kelleher, Quansah, Bradley, Endo, Elliott, Chiesa

Arne Castle – 8

Slot clearly despised the 1-0 defeat at home to Forest back in September and he was out for revenge here.

In what was one of the 46-year-old’s biggest games to date in charge of Liverpool, he got a mixed performance out of his team.

He picked the best lineup available and made very decisive and impactful subs.