What Nuno instructed Nottingham Forest to do to Virgil van Dijk at half-time of Liverpool win

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Nuno Espírito Santo the head coach / manager of Nottingham Forest reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield on September 14, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))


Nuno Espirito Santo expressed his pride after Nottingham Forest ended a 55-year wait for victory at Liverpool. A second-half goal from substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi was sufficient to earn a 1-0 Premier League win against the Reds at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

Arne Slot’s side dominated possession but were unable to find a way through a well-organised Forest, who have maintained their unbeaten start to the season.

And their boss Nuno was particularly pleased for the 3,000 travelling Tricky Trees in the Anfield Road stand.

READ MORE: Arne Slots rejects Liverpool theory and explains real reason for Nottingham Forest loss

READ MORE: Arne Slot makes blunt Nottingham Forest point after shock Liverpool defeat

“We are very happy,” he said. “Many of our fans weren’t even born when we last won here, they know how hard it is to play here. We are proud of the work of the players, they worked very hard.

“Overall we knew how hard it was going to be today and it was about taking our chance at the right moment and we did that.

“At half-time we were trying to correct some things that we saw. (Virgil) van Dijk was breaking into spaces too many times.”

Forest handed debuts to summer signings Alex Moreno and James Ward-Prowse, with the former doing well to keep in-form Mohamed Salah quiet.

And Nuno added: “Alex had a hard task going one-v-one up against Salah but I think he did well. But when he finished he was really tired!

“James, he pretty well managed the game, holding his position, he has great knowledge of the game.

“Now we are in the process of giving him the idea of the team but he understands it very well."