Analysing Liverpool’s Draw Against Nottingham Forest: What Went Wrong | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Tactical Struggles Against Nottingham Forest: Analysing the Panenka LFC Podcast

Liverpool’s recent 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike. On the Panenka LFC podcast, contributors shared detailed insights into the tactical battles at play, shedding light on why Arne Slot’s men struggled to break down Forest’s rigid low block. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways from the podcast, featuring direct quotes from the contributors.

Forest’s Low Block: A Persistent Problem for Liverpool

The Panenka LFC team emphasised the difficulty of facing a well-drilled Nottingham Forest side, particularly under Nuno Espírito Santo. One of the hosts pointed out, “It’s one thing to struggle against a low block, but throw in their devastating counterattacking threat, and it’s just too much to deal with over 90 minutes.”

The Forest game plan was clear from the outset. Sitting deep in a compact 4-4-2 formation, Forest successfully nullified Liverpool’s central progression. As one contributor noted, “Nottingham Forest stuck to their defensive game plan, sitting deep in a low block and relying heavily on long balls and counterattacks.” This strategy forced Liverpool to play out wide, making it harder for the Reds to penetrate centrally.

Tactical Adjustments by Arne Slot

Arne Slot deployed his usual line-up, with Allison in goal and a backline featuring Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Andrew Robertson. However, the tactical nuances didn’t pay off in the first half.

One contributor pointed out the issue with isolating Mohamed Salah on the right wing: “With both Trent and [Alexis] Mac Allister staying in central areas, Mo Salah ended up completely isolated on the right wing.” The hosts further elaborated that every time Salah received the ball, he was quickly shut down by “two, sometimes even three, Forest players.”

Photo: IMAGO

Despite these struggles, Slot’s tactical tweak during a corner led to Liverpool’s equaliser. The substitution of Konaté for Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota was pivotal. As noted in the podcast, “Just 20 seconds later, the two combined from the corner kick to score our only goal of the game.”

Konaté’s Form a Growing Concern

The Panenka LFC podcast raised concerns about Konaté’s form, with one contributor observing, “Let’s be honest, he just doesn’t look like himself right now.” They highlighted instances where Konaté was caught out of position, leaving the right-hand side of Liverpool’s defence exposed.

Forest targeted Liverpool’s right flank throughout the game, as evidenced by their repeated attacks down that side. One host remarked, “Teams have been doing this for a while, but we’ve never looked this vulnerable until recently.” The combination of Konaté’s shaky form and Slot’s preference to keep Salah high up the pitch when defending left Liverpool exposed.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Role: A Double-Edged Sword

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inverted role was another talking point. While his defensive abilities remain a subject of debate, his contributions in possession are undeniable. The podcast praised Trent’s passing range, noting that he was directly involved in “at least three dangerous chances we created” in the second half. His long balls, even with his weaker left foot, were instrumental in breaking through Forest’s lines.

However, the contributors also warned against over-relying on Trent’s attacking prowess at the expense of defensive solidity. As one contributor summarised, “What we can all agree on is just how elite he is on the ball, and let’s be honest, that’s a trade-off most managers would gladly make.”

What Liverpool Must Learn from This Draw

Despite the frustrations, the podcast acknowledged that a point away at a tough venue like the City Ground isn’t a disaster. One of the hosts reflected, “Away from home, against the team sitting third in the table and the only side to have beaten us in the league so far, a point isn’t exactly a disaster.”

The team emphasised that the draw should serve as a learning curve for Liverpool. They concluded with a clear message: “This is the Premier League; you simply cannot afford to show up for just one half of football.”

As Liverpool fans look ahead to the remainder of the season, the tactical lessons from this game against Nottingham Forest will be crucial. The Panenka LFC podcast offered a thorough breakdown, highlighting both the tactical tweaks made by Arne Slot and the areas where the players need to improve. With Arsenal emerging as the main threat to Liverpool’s title charge, every game is vital in this fiercely competitive season.