Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool FC Player Ratings: Reds continue to stay top of Premier League after late winner

The Premier League title race and the relegation battle had an eventful day on Saturday (Mar 2) after Liverpool scored a 99th-minute winner at City Ground against Nottingham Forest to win 1-0. While Forest were good for the entire match and managed to keep a clean sheet, it was the Super-Sub Darwin Nunez who scored the winning goal to break the home fans’ hearts while Liverpool continued to lead the standings in the Premier League. Here are the Player Ratings of the Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool contest.

Liverpool FC Player Ratings

Caoimhin Kelleher (6/10)

Midway through the first half, Caoimhin Kelleher made a good save with his left foot outstretched to deny Anthony Elanga a one-on-one. Reacted well to Callum Hudson-Odoi’s low save at his near post in the second half, but otherwise had minimal involvement.

Conor Bradley (6/10)

After raising the bar so high the previous month, today’s performance was a little underwhelming. The Northern Irishman was substituted as the Reds attempted to chase the game’s winning goal in the last minutes, unable to make an impression on the match.

Ibrahima Konate (7/10)

Ibrahima Konate held the line incredibly effectively and played some extremely aggressive front-foot defense to deflect Bradley’s attempts.

Virgil van Dijk (7/10)

In the first half, Virgil van Dijk displayed some excellent composed defending to head the ball back to his keeper from a cross within his own six-yard box. He maintained a very well-organized backline in the face of Forest’s persistent counterattacks and made a crucial block on Morgan Gibbs-White just before the end, allowing Liverpool to win.

Andy Robertson (6/10)

Andy Robertson had a fantastic opportunity early in the second half, but one of the many defenders on the line deflected it wide. He had good energy while moving up and down the left wing; his removal after an hour may have surprised some.

Alexis Mac Allister (7/10)

Unfortunately, Elliott’s cutback prevented Alexis Mac Allister from taking a sneaky back heel early in the play. Overall displayed wonderful hands, keeping the ball in play, and, at the last second, showed the composure and ingenuity to recycle the ball and find Nunez in the area to head home the winner.

Joe Gomez (7/10)

Not the most pleasant day as Gomez appeared a little disoriented in the middle of the field, which was to be expected. He appeared to be unsure of where to go to receive the ball and was frequently rather easy to mark. He was also not very effective on the ball and was slightly improved after an hour when he switched to full-back.

Bobby Clark (5/10)

Bobby Clark had a bold attempt to curl just over the bar from just outside the box. Perhaps he ought to have made a stronger effort when Bradley’s low cross inside the box released him. Clark looked appropriate from the side and too bad to be pulled off an hour later.

Harvey Elliott (5/10)

Harvey Elliott worked very hard during the game, but when he played off the right, most of it was ruled out. After an hour, he shifted to a more central role where he could better control the play, smashing a volley off Ryan Yates’ head.

Cody Gakpo (4/10)

Cody Gakpo captured the ball off Van Dijk’s toe just as the captain appeared ready to volley his team into the lead during the first half (to be fair, he never received a shout). Then, with his back to goal, he strangely headed the ball back into no man’s land shortly before halftime. Possibly ought to have passed, but with twenty minutes remaining, he fired the ball into the side netting.

Luis Diaz (6/10)

Luis Diaz had the first opportunity of the game for the Reds in the 16th minute when Andrew Omobamidele deflected his shot beyond. With fifteen minutes remaining, he had a fantastic opportunity that he missed, missing the post when he could have at least struck the goal.

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Nottingham Forest Player Rating

Matz Sels (6/10) 

Matz Sels didn’t receive any assistance from those in front of him when Nunez nodded home the winner. Unfortunate to miss out on a clean sheet in the match.

Neco Williams (6.5/10) 

Neco Williams was better in the second half after a challenging first forty-five minutes overall. He made a few tackles and showed no lack of effort but could not inspire his side to a draw.

Andrew Omobamidele (5/10)

Was impactful after returning to the squad and almost booked a clean sheet for the Forest before Nunez came up with the winner deep in added time. Andrew Omobamidele did not get the desired help intended to get the point from the match.

Murillo (4/10)

A really difficult forty-five minutes for the young Brazilian and was not even close to his best. In the first half, Forest were completely absent from the races, both individually and collectively.

Harry Toffolo (5/10)

Harry Toffolo’s return to the side did not to plan and was left fuming after his side conceded late in the match. He could have helped keep the ball for the Reds, but Liverpool punished them late on in the match.

Nicolas Dominguez (6/10)

Nicolas Dominguez played an important role in the midfield, despite facing a good challenge from the opposition. He could have impacted the game more had he been given an advanced role.

Ryan Yates (5/10)

Despite being guilty of a couple of careless passes, Yates improved in the second half even when the quality wasn’t evident, and didn’t back down when things got difficult.

Anthony Elanga (6/10) 

Anthony Elanga missed an excellent opportunity to find the back of the net in the second half. Not many chances for Liverpool’s pace to be a problem, but could have won the match for the Forest.

Morgan Gibbs-White (6.5/10) 

Morgan Gibbs-White tried to make some sort of effort, at least. He made a calm conclusion to make his presence feel but did not succeed in making any significant impact.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (5/10) 

Callum Hudson-Odoi was eager to swerve for a goal whenever he received the ball, however, he was not always successful and did less than expected when his team needed him the most.

Divock Origi (6/10) 

The former Liverpool man received assistance when he set up Callum Hudson-Odoi just before halftime. Though not at his best, he is still improving his fitness.

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