'Very clever': Pundit says Nottingham Forest star was unbelievable vs Liverpool, he 'passes teams to death'

09/17/2024 02:00 PM

Nottingham Forest claimed a big three points on Saturday as Liverpool were beaten by the Reds for the first time since 1969 at Anfield.

Nuno Espirito Santo masterminded a game plan to absolute perfection and right now, Forest sit seventh in the Premier League.

Forest won the game courtesy of a goal from Callum Hudson-Odoi with just 18 minutes of the contest remaining and it sent the away fans into raptures.

There could be a compelling case made for any of the Forest players to claim the Man of the Match accolade, such was the display from the entire team at Anfield.

A number of pundits have weighed in after Forest claiming the morale-boosting victory on Merseyside and lots of nice comments have come the way of the club.

• READ MORE: Gabby Agbonlahor shares what he loved about Morgan Gibbs-White against Liverpool

Mark Lawrenson hails James Ward-Prowse after Forest victory

The Reds handed a debut to Ward-Prowse following his loan move from West Ham and he didn’t look out of place in the Forest team.

The 29-year-old player had fallen down the pecking order at the London Stadium, with Julen Lopetegui keen to get him out of the club.

Forest duly obliged and landed him on a season-long loan to bolster the midfield ranks after Danilo suffered a broken ankle.

Mark Lawrenson was at the game on Saturday and after praising the performance of Forest on the whole, he also had some praise for Ward-Prowse.

He told the OTB Football+ podcast: “They’ve taken the boy from West Ham as well haven’t they (Ward-Prowse), very, very clever that is because he passes teams to death – which he did on Saturday – and with all the players running off and the free kicks, they suddenly look like a good side.”

Ward-Prowse can take Forest to the next level

Forest have utilised the loan market well this year, signing Ward-Prowse and Alex Moreno who has checked in from Aston Villa on a season-long loan deal too.

The Reds needed to improve on that front this season after failing to use the loan market well at all during the 2023/24 campaign when Steve Cooper oversaw the summer window.

Forest have to kick on in the Premier League this season and Evangelos Marinakis will hope to see some real progress in the top-flight.

The club have survived by the skin of their teeth for two years running but after some shrewd investment, it’s important now that Marinakis spots some signs of progression.

Ward-Prowse is vastly experienced. He’s played 11 times for the England national team and has around 400 Premier League appearances under his belt.

He’s arguably the best player that Forest have signed since winning promotion. He bagged seven goals and claimed 11 assists last season and arrives as a player with a lot still to offer.

Hopefully, Ward-Prowse will quickly become a regular in the team and with his presence in the starting eleven, Forest could go to the next level this season.