Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest: ‘Honeymoon’ over as Arne Slot regrets ‘setback’

“A setback” is how Arne Slot described his first defeat as Liverpool manager, while analyst Chris Sutton declared that “the honeymoon is over”.

Slot has led Liverpool to three wins from three games without conceding a goal since replacing Jurgen Klopp in the summer.

However, they were frustrated by Nottingham Forest, who recorded their first win at Anfield since February 1969 thanks to a strike from Callum Hudson-Odoi.

It wasn’t a straight shot, but Liverpool did have the better chances. Slot thought his team made too many mistakes.

Liverpool were frustrated by Forest’s disruption of play in the first half and their best chance came when Luis Diaz hit the post.

One team’s unbeaten start was all over the headlines – the other’s wasn’t. And now one of them, Forest, is still unbeaten.

In fact, this was Slot’s first defeat in 30 games, a streak that dates back to Feyenoord’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Celtic on December 13, 2023.

“Not for the process, but it is a big setback,” Slot said of Anfield’s turnaround.

“When you lose a home game, it’s always a setback, especially when you’re playing against a team that you never know. Maybe they’re going all out for a Champions League spot, but normally this team doesn’t finish in the top 10.

“So when you lose a game against them, it’s a big disappointment.”

Anfield fans were clearly frustrated with the way the match was going and many left the stadium before the end of the game.

Former Celtic striker Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live at Anfield: “Arne Slot’s honeymoon is over – there’s still plenty of work to do.

“Arne Slot would not have wanted the international period. His team was outclassed this afternoon by this Forest team.”

During a short press conference after the match, Slot added: “They played a lot of long balls.

“We had a lot of possession but only created three or four decent chances. That’s not enough when you play so much in their half. We lost the ball so often in simple situations.

“The other team played a lot over our pressure with a lot of long balls. Too many individual performances in possession were not at the level I am used to from these players.”

Liverpool will play their first match in the Champions League phase against AC Milan on Tuesday.

Slot has played for the same team for the past three games, but he may well decide it’s time for a change.