Arne Slot highlights four shortcomings Liverpool had in their loss to Nottingham Forest

Liverpool suffered their first Premier League defeat under new manager Arne Slot, falling to Nottingham Forest at home without scoring a goal.

Arne Slot remarked that his Liverpool players had only themselves to blame for the loss to Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool had won their initial three league matches with Slot in charge without conceding. However, they were unable to score on Saturday as Callum Hudson-Odoi netted a second-half winner for Forest.

Despite Liverpool registering 14 shots compared to Forest’s five, they couldn’t beat goalkeeper Matz Sels. The Reds also controlled possession against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side but failed to capitalize on it.

Liverpool remained second in the league after Brighton’s draw with Ipswich, but they now trail Manchester City by three points following City’s victory over Brentford.

Slot expressed frustration after the match, saying, “The result frustrates the most and we cannot be happy about how the game went. It was a stop-start game and we hardly created any chances.”

He added, “We only have to look at ourselves, we have to be better. Far too many times we lost the ball around the area, it was not good enough. We have to be better with the ball.”

Slot also noted, “Our decisions and execution weren’t good enough. In general, we defended quite well, but the two fast players came on and made it difficult. We took a lot of risk, and in the end, it was a very good goal.”

Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo commended his team’s effort, saying, “Realising Liverpool are such a good team, it required a lot of effort from the players, the organisation, tackling, and the cover.” He continued, “The only way to achieve anything here is if you are organised and do everything that you can.”

Liverpool will quickly have a chance to rebound with a Champions League match against AC Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday.

In their previous away fixture against Milan, Liverpool won 2-1 under Jurgen Klopp in December 2021, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi. After the Milan game, Liverpool will return to Premier League play against Bournemouth, whom they defeated 3-1 last season, before facing West Ham at Anfield in the EFL Cup shortly thereafter.