Seven tackles, three interceptions: Nottingham Forest star justifies Nuno decision vs Liverpool

09/16/2024 02:00 PM

Nottingham Forest won at Liverpool for the first time since 1969, with Callum Hudson-Odoi silencing the Anfield crowd and handing Arne Slot his first defeat in English football.

The Reds had a meticulous game plan and managed to do something that Brian Clough was unable to achieve during his long-standing tenure as the club’s manager and beat Liverpool at Anfield in a league game.

Saturday’s result was an accumulation of things finally coming together. Forest were defensively rigid, showed dogged determination and when it came, the team took their chance and went ahead in the contest.

It would be easy to wax lyrical about each of the players who featured for Forest at Anfield. However, one in particular really showcased his class as he stifled one of the Premier League’s very best players.

• READ MORE: Nuno Espirito Santo proved Chris Sutton wrong in 11 minutes on Saturday

Alex Moreno stars as Nottingham Forest defeat Liverpool

The Spaniard was making his first Premier League start for Forest and in 80 minutes on the pitch, he showcased exactly what he’s capable of.

Moreno probably couldn’t have asked for a tougher assignment in his first game for Forest. He was going up against Mohamed Salah who has been in fine form so far this season.

Despite that, Moreno posted some top-class figures and he actually finished top when compiling a list of tackles and blocks across the Premier League during game week four.

In making seven tackles and three interceptions, he finished top of the pule ahead of Edson Alvarez, Yerson Mosquera and Antonee Robinson with 10 tackles and interceptions combined.

Forest deserve credit already for use of loan market

The Reds utilised the loan market abysmally last season and it almost cost the club their place in the Premier League.

This season, it seems obvious that the club have tried desperately to establish their credentials on the recruitment front and have taken a more meticulous approach.

Both domestic loan players – Moreno and James Ward-Prowse – have experience in abundance and it already looks as though both players will be ones to watch this season.

Moreno brings some balance to the back four at Forest. He is naturally left-footed and by starting him on Saturday it stifled Salah and ensured the Reds remained a threat on the counter-attack.

The 31-year-old looks like an astute signing already and although it’s early days, Moreno looks like the type of player who will be determined to kick Forest to the next level.