The Reds keep marching on during the back end of the 2022-23 Premier League season as JΓΌrgen Kloppβs Liverpool fought to a swashbuckling 3-2 win against Steve Cooperβs relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.
FULL-TIME Liverpool 3-2 Nottβm Forest
A Diogo Jota brace and a goal from Mohamed Salah means Jurgen Klopp’s men seal all three points#LIVNFO pic.twitter.com/Rs86WMZI1w
β Premier League (@premierleague) April 22, 2023
In an entertaining 90min clash between two old rivals, Anfield was once again a difference maker like it so often is on the red side of Stanley Park on a day where Klopp earned his 100th league win at home in just 144 matches, joining Bob Paisley, Bill Shankly, and Tom Watson in an illustrious list of headmasters who have given home supporters fond memories in front of the Kop.
It would not be until the second half that Liverpool finally opened the scoring two minutes after the restart through the in-form Diogo Jota who has enjoyed his return to senior duties on the right flank, but the Portuguese had his opener canceled out by former Red Neco Williams just four minutes later.
Jota popped up again four minutes after Williamsβ effort to restore Liverpoolβs lead to complete his brace on the afternoon, giving him four goals in his last two league appearances for the club.
Once again, Forest bit back, this time through former Wolves forward Mogan Gibbs-White, who brought matters level again at two-a-piece twelve minutes after Jotaβs second, but Egyptian star Mohamed Salah would have the final say on the day just three minutes after Giggs-White in what would be the gameβs last goal, and another hammer blow for Cooperβs men who fought tooth and nail at one of the toughest places to go anywhere in Europe while showing they still may be capable of avoiding the drop.
For Liverpool, that makes it eight points from the last possible twelve on offer, with Kloppβs men now sitting just one point adrift of sixth-place Aston Villa (who they have a match in hand over), and three points behind Tottenham. With seven matches remaining on Liverpoolβs league program, the chance to secure European football after what has been a sub-par campaign on all fronts still remains.
π° Table Of Contents
Key Stats & Performers
A fantastic achievement, boss β€οΈ
In elite company as he makes it π― league wins at Anfield in 144 games π pic.twitter.com/LlfiRwnWwL
β Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 22, 2023
Diogo Jotaβs game by numbers vs. Nottingham Forest:
92% pass accuracy
3 shots on target
2 ground duels won
2 clearances
2 big chances missed
2 goalsBursting back onto the scene. π₯ pic.twitter.com/gClVhpi9Qr
β Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 22, 2023
Trent Alexander-Arnold has 4 assists in his last 3 games playing in his new midfield role.
Thatβs more assists than he’s had the entire rest of the season (3) π³ pic.twitter.com/XDfjhk5cxa
β ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 22, 2023
Diogo Jota’s last two games for Liverpool:
β½β½π °οΈ vs. Leeds
β½β½ vs. Nottingham ForestHe’s back. π#LIVNFO pic.twitter.com/aHdonUqvIi
β Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) April 22, 2023
Liverpool Player Ratings
- GK: Alisson – 6.5
- RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7.5
- RCB: Ibrahima KonatΓ© – 7.5
- LCB: Virgil van Dijk – 6.5
- LB: Andrew Robertson – 7.5
- DM: Fabinho – 7
- RCM: Jordan Henderson – 6.5
- LCM: Curtis Jones – 6.5
- RW: Mohamed Salah – 7.5
- LW: Diogo Jota – 8.5
- CF: Cody Gakpo – 7
- Sub: Darwin NΓΊΓ±ez – 6
- Sub: Thiago – 6
- Sub: Luis DΓaz – 6
- Sub: James Milner – 6
Nottingham Forest Player Ratings
- GK: Kaylor Navas – 6
- RCB: Felipe – 7.5
- CB: Moussa NiakhatΓ© – 6.5
- LCB: Scott McKenna – 6.5
- RWB: Neco Williams – 8
- DM: Orel Mangala – 6.5
- LWB: Renan Lodi – 6
- RCM: Remo Freuler – 6.5
- LCM: Danilo – 6
- CAM: Morgan Gibbs-White – 8
- CF: Taiwo Awoniyi – 6.5
- Sub: Joe Worrall – 6.5
- Sub: Brennan Johnson – 6.5
- Sub: Emmanuel Dennis – 6
- Sub: Sam Surridge – N/A
- Sub: AndrΓ© Ayew – N/A