PLAYER RATINGS: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool fell to an embarrassing defeat to bottom of the table Nottingham Forest in the early kickoff today. A truly turgid display was punished by a Taiwo Awoniyi tap in early in the second half. Here are player ratings from the encounter.

Alisson – 7

I feel sorry for him. Only one who actually performed to his usual level. Stunning save to prevent Gibbs-White making it 2-0 on the counter. He’s facing way too many shots. Unlucky not to tuck away a rebound after going up for a corner late on.

Milner – 5

Was required to bomb forward a lot more today and struggled. Doesn’t have the legs to do that job. He’s excellent if he has to stay deep and defend his flank, but what was required today was a bit beyond him. Still gave it a good go and found Van Dijk with a fantastic left footed cross first half.

Gomez – 4

All over the place. It’s one step forward, two steps backwards with him. Couldn’t live with Awoniyi. Gave away a silly free kick which led to their goal. He made the same error in Glasgow when he dallied on the ball and got his pocket picked by Morelos.

Van Dijk – 4

Started well but then joined in on the lackadaisical attitude. Could have scored a hat trick today from set pieces alone but kept trying to pass instead of go for goal. The one effort he aimed for goal he aimed it too close to Henderson.

Robertson – 4

Not at the races. Offered nothing going forward. Him and Carvalho down the left didn’t work well together at all.

Fabinho – 4

Bullied in midfield by Kouyate. Shocking once again. He’s fallen off a cliff this season. Slow to get back to defend and hiding when a leader is needed in midfield to get on the ball and dictate play.

Jones – 4.5

Started well actually. Was dropping deep to pick the ball off the centre backs. He held on to it well too despite the constant closing down. Almost got caught on the ball in a dangerous area and his game went downhill from there. Moved to the left wing second half but he offered no real threat. Tame half volley was easy for Henderson late on.

Elliott – 6

Played really well first half. Exquisite pass found Carvalho in behind the defence for what should have been the opening goal. Created a number of other openings as well. Second half he faded but we really shouldn’t be relying on a teenager to dig us out of a hole. Saw a right footed shot parried.

Carvalho – 4

Too lightweight. Knocked off the ball constantly. Fluffed his lines when sent clean through by Elliott. Made a mess of a few other half chances. With Diaz and Jota out, he’s getting starts but not making much of it.

Firmino – 4

Quiet. Never got into it. The game was crying out for him to drop deep, get on the ball and create but Bobby couldn’t get himself in the positions he needed to. When he did, his passing let him down. Should have scored from a corner first half.

Salah – 4

Swallowed up whole by the Forest centre backs. We’ve seen this kind of performance from him way too many times this season. He was anonymous for large parts of the game. Saw one header tipped over in injury time.

Substitutes

Alexander-Arnold – 5

Came on with half an hour left. Went close to equalising when he powered Robertson’s cross to the backpost goalwards. Good save by Henderson. Whipped a wicked free kick for Van Dijk to attack and the big man hooked it wide.

Henderson – 4

Brought on to try and inject a bit of urgency but didn’t manage it. As bad as the rest of them with the constant sideway passing. No cutting edge.

Oxlade-Chamberlain – 4

Sent one cross straight into Henderson’s gloves to halt a promising counter. That was it pretty much.

Jürgen Klopp

The injuries have gotten to ridiculous levels now but I don’t know if the manager helped himself by then keeping his most creative outlet on the bench for an hour. It’s tough though with so many out. No Matip, Konaté, Keita, Thiago, Jota, Diaz and Nunez today.

Looked like Salah picked up a knock as well but played through it. The team that took to the field was still good enough to get the win so that shouldn’t be an excuse. It looks like the league campaign is a write off.