ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL — Liverpool further underlined their return to form this season as they eased to a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Two goals in quick succession from Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez put the Reds in complete control during the first half.
And they capped off the win late in the second period as Mohamed Salah capitalised on a defensive mix-up to net his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jota’s goal was followed by a poignant celebration in which he held up the shirt of teammate Luis Diaz, whose parents were kidnapped overnight in his native Colombia.
The three points ensured Jurgen Klopp’s side remain in the top four, just three points shy of league leaders Tottenham.
Liverpool lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas — Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch — Salah, Nunez, Jota
Nottingham Forest lineup (5-4-1, right to left): Turner (GK) — Aurier, Boly, Niakhate, Murillo, Aina — Gibbs-White, Sangare, Mangala, Dominguez — Elanga.
FULLTIME: LIVERPOOL 3-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Straightforward for the Reds in the end, with goals from Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah giving them the win.
94th min: Gakpo thinks he’s made it 4-0 from a low Elliott cross but a quick VAR check shows the Dutchman was offside.
86th min: Elanga hits the woodwork!
So unlucky for the former Manchester United man, who cracks the underside of the crossbar with a brilliant volleyed attempt at the back post.
78th min: A change for Liverpool now as Nunez, who has been a handful all afternoon, makes way for Endo.
77th min: GOAL! SALAH MAKES IT 3-0!
A complete nightmare for Forest as Toffolo and Turner get in a tangle over who is going to cut out a hopeful Szoboszlai ball over the top.
In the end, neither man does, allowing Salah to collect possession and pass the ball into an empty net.
69th min: Buoyed by that opportunity, the visitors are going for it.
Yates, Awoniyi and Toffolo all coming on for Aina, Mangala and Boly. Can these changes help Forest find a way back into this game?
65th min: Nottingham Forest waste a huge chance!
The visitors pile forward in numbers on the break and Gibbs-White picks out a beauty of a pass into the box but Dominguez, the man who is supposed to meet it, kicks the turf instead.
60th min: Elliott has a big chance with his first touch after being set up by Szoboszlai but his attempt is deflected wide for a corner that Forest defend well enough.
58th min: Gibbs-White jinks past Mac Allister in midfield and is brought down – that’s another yellow.
Liverpool take the opportunity to make two changes, Gakpo and Elliott replacing Jota and Gravenberch respectively.
52nd min: Dominguez drags Alexander-Arnold back as he powers through midfield and that’s a yellow card.
46th min: BACK UNDER WAY!
So that quick one-two from Liverpool has them in front of the break and in full control.
40th min: Liverpool absolutely peppering the Forest goal now with Szoboszlai and Gravenberch both forcing saves from Turner in quick succession.
This could get completely away from the visitors very quickly.
35th min: GOAL! NUNEZ MAKES IT 2-0!
Liverpool double their lead! It’s a really well-worked goal, Salah weighting a pass in behind for Szoboszlai, who hammers it onto the toe of Nunez on the goalline.
A quickfire double has put the hosts in firm control here.
