Pro Sports

Nottingham Forest shocks Liverpool in 1-0 win

Posted October 22, 2022 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi, second right, celebrates with his team-mates after scoring their side's first goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, at the City Ground, in Nottingham, England, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (Joe Giddens/PA via AP) The Associated Press

NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) - Nottingham Forest produced a shock to beat Liverpool 1-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.

The last-place team at the start of the day secured only its second win of the season in the game at the City Ground.

Taiwo Awoniyi struck in the 55th-minute to end Liverpool's mini-revival, which saw it beat Rangers, Manchester City and West Ham in its previous three games.

Awoniyi was on the books at Anfield for six years without ever playing for the first team, but he produced the decisive moment to lift Forest off the foot of the table.

'œTo score against Liverpool is a day I will never forget," he told BBC Sport. 'œI will always to be grateful to Liverpool for scouting me from Nigeria and scoring against them is amazing.'ť

The win eases the pressure on Forest manager Steve Cooper, who also used to coach at Liverpool.

'œThis is not the end, this has got to be a part of the start," Cooper said. "We get back in on Monday and work even harder. We've been on a difficult run but, I told the boys, I've not seen them hide, shy away or sulk. I've seen the opposite. That's given me reassurance."

Forest took the lead 10 minutes into the second half when a free-kick found Steve Cook on the right-hand side. His cross was struck against the post by Ryan Yates, but Awoniyi was on hand to turn the rebound into an empty net.

Morgan Gibbs-White then saw another effort blocked by James Milner, which would have doubled the home team's lead.

Liverpool's fight back saw Forest goalkeeper Dean Henderson palm away a Trent Alexander-Arnold header in the final 10 minutes.

In return, Alisson denied Yates late on before Henderson stopped a powerful header from Virgil van Dijk to secure the famous win.

Liverpool was without the injured Darwin Nunez and Thiago Alcantara, who was unwell.

'œThe performance I can kind of explain, the result not to be honest,'ť Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told BT Sport. "I never saw a game where one team has four or five no-brainers from a set piece where we have to finish it off.

'œThe way they defend we were perfectly prepared for that. We had to put the game to bed to be perfectly honest.'ť

___

AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, at the City Ground, in Nottingham, England, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP) The Associated Press

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah looks dejected during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, at the City Ground, in Nottingham, England, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP) The Associated Press

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker saves a shot from Nottingham Forest's Ryan Yates, center, during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, at the City Ground, in Nottingham, England, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (Joe Giddens/PA via AP) The Associated Press

Nottingham Forest's Brennan Johnson, left, and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk battle for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, at the City Ground, in Nottingham, England, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (Joe Giddens/PA via AP) The Associated Press

Liverpool's Andrew Robertson appears dejected during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, at the City Ground, in Nottingham, England, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (Joe Giddens/PA via AP) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers MLS Pro Sports Soccer Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.