Liverpool boss Arne Slot makes excuse for Forest defeat and sends demand to players

Arne Slot blamed 'individual performances' for Liverpool's loss to Nottingham Forest (Image: Getty)

Arne Slot pointed the finger away from his tactics and towards 'individual performances' after Liverpool's shock defeat to Nottingham Forest. Slot's Reds were frustrated by Nuno Espirito Santo's side and they had no response to Callum Hudson-Odoi's brilliant second-half winner.

Liverpool fans were buzzing to see their side back in action after Slot kick-started his reign with three wins from three. But misery awaited them after the international break as Forest got the better of them on their own turf.

The Tricky Trees congested the middle of the park and made use of their pace out wide while restricting Liverpool's joy in the final third.

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Tactically, Slot was unable to come up with an answer from the touchline. But he felt that a lack of quality on the ball from his players is what ultimately cost them at Anfield.

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"If you look at the goals we have scored until now, we also scored quite a few from transition moments, from winning the ball back and then going to transition," he said. "But (Forest) played over our press a lot with a lot of long balls, so like I said, we got the ball mostly in our last line.

"Then it wasn’t good enough today because also too many individual performances in ball possession were not of the standards that I am used to from these players."

Callum Hudson-Odoi's winner sunk Liverpool at Anfield (Image: Getty)

Liverpool must pick themselves up and dust themselves down ahead of their Champions League opener against AC Milan on Tuesday. Slot knows that the Forest result will sting for his players, but the Dutchman has demanded that they report for training with just as much enthusiasm as they would after a big win.

"It is a big setback," he admitted. "Normally (Forest) is not ending in the top 10 so if you lose against them it is a big disappointment. I want to see the same energy every day after a big win, draw or loss. We go out to work again tomorrow."

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Liverpool sit second in the Premier League table after slipping three points behind Manchester City, who continued their flawless start to the campaign with a hard-fought win over Brentford at the Etihad Stadium.

The Reds could be caught by fellow title hopefuls Arsenal tomorrow (Sunday) if Mikel Arteta is able to mastermind a win in the north London derby.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot makes excuse for Forest defeat and sends demand to players

Liverpool boss Arne Slot makes excuse for Forest defeat and sends demand to players

Liverpool boss Arne Slot makes excuse for Forest defeat and sends demand to players

Liverpool boss Arne Slot makes excuse for Forest defeat and sends demand to players

Liverpool boss Arne Slot makes excuse for Forest defeat and sends demand to players