PLAYER RATINGS: Awoniyi shines as Nottingham Forest beat Liverpool

PLAYER RATINGS: Taiwo Awoniyi proves to be the match-winner, while Mohamed Salah fails to shine as Nottingham Forest stun Liverpool to move off the bottom of the table

• Nottingham Forest pulled off a shock victory against Liverpool on Saturday
• Taiwo Awoniyi scored the winning goal and troubled Liverpool all game
• Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah was kept quiet throughout by the hosts

Nottingham Forest picked up their second win of the season to stun Liverpool at the City Ground on Saturday.

Taiwo Ayoniwi scored the only goal of the game 10 minutes after half time as Jurgen Klopp’s side suffered a shock setback after beating Manchester City last week.

The victory takes Forest off the bottom of the table, while Liverpool remain seventh. James St Denis rated the players from both teams. 

Nottingham Forest players celebrate after their stunning victory against Liverpool

Nottingham Forest

Dean Henderson: 8 – Did what he had to do when called upon. A brilliant save late on ensured the hosts held on for the win.

Dean Henderson produced a fantastic late save to keep an important clean sheet 

Serge Aurier: 7 – Solid showing from the former Tottenham defender, utilising his experience to a tee. Held his own throughout.

Steve Cook: 7 – Like his defensive partner, he left everything on the pitch to get his team a much needed result.

Scott McKenna: 7 – An absolute rock at the back, defending within an inch of his life to halt the Liverpool onslaught.

Neco Williams: 6 – Very active in his defending and attacking. Caused the Liverpool defence problems as he doubled up as an attacker.

Ryan Yates: 7.5 – Captain’s performance from the midfielder. Excellent protection in front of the backline and gave Liverpool’s midfield no rest.

Ryan Yates shone in midfield for Forest, and was congratulated by Steve Cooper afterwards

Remo Freuler: 6 – Nothing sensational from the Swiss midfielder. Did what was asked of him and shielded the defence well.

Cheikhou Kouyate: 7 – A combative showing from the Senegalese, with a couple of rash challenges sandwiching a solid defensive performance.

Morgan Gibbs-White: 6 – Constant threat to Liverpool’s left-hand side. Good link-up play with Awoniyi and Aurier in a lively performance.

Taiwo Awoniyi: 8.5 – A nuisance to the Liverpool backline, he tapped in to give his side the lead early in the second period.

Taiwo Awoniyi scored the only goal of the game in the second half to help his side to victory

Jesse Lingard: 5 – Another sub-par performance from the Englishman. Sloppy in possession, especially when Forest were looking to move the ball forward.

Substitutes

64 minutes – Brennan Johnson: 6 – Fairly quiet upon his arrival onto the pitch but helped his team at both ends of the pitch when they needed it most.

64 minutes – Joe Worrall: 6 – Brought on to conserve Forest’s slender lead, he did everything that was required to secure the win.

72 minutes – Renan Lodi: 6 – Not much to say about the fullback. He did what was required and Forest got the win.

80 minutes – Orel Mangala.

Steve Cooper: A well-deserved win for the Forest boss. His tactics were spot on and his substitutes were effective.

Steve Cooper got his tactics spot on as Forest picked up all three points against Liverpool

Liverpool

Alisson: 6.5 – Could do nothing about the hosts opener, but kept the score to one with a couple of brilliant saves.

James Milner: 5.5 – Caught out a couple of times by Forest’s front three on the break, but had a solid overall performance.

Joe Gomez: 5 – Unable to shrug off the physical presence of Awoniyi, leading to a booking in the second half and a lacklustre performance.

Joe Gomez had a difficult game as he struggled to cope with Awoniyi throughout

Virgil van Dijk: 6 – Should have put the visitors ahead just before the break. Caused numerous problems by Awoniyi but dealt with them well.

Andy Robertson: 5 – Nothing special from the Scotsman. Was a distant figure at times and rarely troubled Forest going forward.

Harvey Elliott: 6 – Showed glimpses of potential throughout. Arguably Liverpool’s most creative and influential player on the day.

Fabinho: 5.5 – Failed to deal with the hosts electric attack, and became less effective the longer the game went on.

Fabinho had problems coping with Forest’s quick counter-attacks in the game

Curtis Jones: 5 – Weakest of Liverpool’s midfield three. Forced into mistakes by the Forest midfield as he struggled to impose himself in the game.

Mohamed Salah: 5 – One of the Egyptian’s weaker performances in recent weeks. Ineffective when in possession and kept under wraps throughout.

Mohamed Salah had one of his quieter games in recent weeks for Jurgen Klopp’s side

Roberto Firmino: 5 – Should have scored with a free header in the first half. Apart from that, another subdued performance from the Brazilian.

Fabio Carvalho: 5 – Struggled to impose himself in what was a very physical encounter. A rather quiet game from the youngster.

Substitutes

62 minutes – Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6 – Tried to get his team back in the game but his efforts weren’t enough to stop Forest claiming the win.

62 minutes – Jordan Henderson: 5.5 – Offered nothing when he came on. Not much progression when he got possession and Forest pounced on it.

Jordan Henderson struggled to get his team going when he came off the bench

76 minutes – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Jurgen Klopp: Not much the German could do about the result, with the changes he made not having the desired impact.

MOTM: Taiwo Awoniyi.

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