Just a fortnight ago, Arne Slot stood in front of the Sky Sports cameras on the Old Trafford touchline and, step by step, candidly outlined how his side tactically dismantled Manchester United. Easy, this Premier League lark, he might have thought.

Liverpool had gone three from three without conceding a goal. Tougher tests lay ahead but he could not have asked for a better start after the significant jump from Feyenoord to the best league in the world.
The following day, Mail Sport – and plenty of other outlets – waxed lyrical about 'Slotball' and how the Dutchman was taking English football by storm. Two weeks later, 'Slotball' was exposed by Nuno Espirito Santo's Nottingham Forest.
Just as many warned not to get too excited after just three wins, this defeat must also not prompt reasons to panic or overreact. But the worry is that Nuno has found the blueprint to beat Slot's side – and many other teams may copy how he did it.
Wasteful finishing, lacklustre defending for Callum Hudson-Odoi's goal and post-international break tiredness can be cited as excuses that are short-term issues rather than terminal worries. But while Liverpool were poor, Forest were perfect and richly deserved their three points.
So, how did they do it? Nuno congested the middle of the park with five – yes, five – central midfielders: James Ward-Prowse, Nicolas Dominguez, Ryan Yates, Elliott Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White. Even striker Chris Wood dropped deep in a solid defensive shift.
Centre halves Murillo – it would not be a surprise if he gets a big move next summer – and new boy Nicola Milenkovic – were imperious, while fellow summer signing Alex Moreno pocketed Mohamed Salah and Ola Aina was equally impressive in keeping in-form Luis Diaz quiet.
In two sentences, we have name-checked every outfield player – this was a true team performance and every single man deserves mass credit, plus goalkeeper Matz Sels was solid when called upon. You will do well to find a finer tactical team performance this season.
This system meant that Liverpool had no space to work in and often were forced into long shots or wayward crosses that were mopped up with ease. The atmosphere at Anfield was incredibly flat, one could sense the angst and frustration growing by the minute.
As the game ticked towards the hour mark, though, Nuno took a risk and changed tack. It could have easily backfired as Forest ditched their five-man midfield and threw on wingers Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga. In hindsight, let us surmise that Forest smelt blood.
After barely venturing forward in the first hour, they now had pace on the counter-attack. Elanga miscued a shot after a fine move but made amends minutes later by driving his team forward and feeding Hudson-Odoi, who skipped past Conor Bradley with ease to unleash a lovely finish.
Slot admitted this was the first time he had faced a low block on these shores and, clearly, it led to an album of problems for his side. Mohamed Salah threw his arms in the air in frustration as he kept plugging away but could not find a way to break down the Forest defence.
Another concern is how none of Slot's five substitutions made a positive impact. Darwin Nunez lost the ball for Forest's goal and Cody Gakpo had zero memorable moments. New signing Federico Chiesa was not even on the bench – could he have made an impact with a cameo?
But to reiterate an earlier point: one defeat should not spark mass panic, just like three wins were not reason to get too excited. Rome, as they say, was not built in a day – even Pep Guardiola needed a year to get his feet under the table in English football.
Now the quest is to respond and do it quickly. AC Milan, who Liverpool play on Tuesday, are not the formidable force they were when these teams clashed in the 2005 and 2007 European Cup finals – but the San Siro is a cauldron of noise at the worst of times and is never an easy trip.
Two weeks on from when the Slot machine hit the jackpot at Old Trafford – the words of Sky Sports' Peter Drury not ours before you spit out your cornflakes – the Slot machine has hit its first malfunction. Now the Dutchman must earn his corn to avoid the same mistakes happening.
erodas
0
it's just a beginning of looserpool journey and other teams yarning to play looserpool 👇😀😀
[image]
come back for dis come.. I tag u soo I could remind u... now tell me, are teams yarning to play us or fear to play us...
Vetalnuz
0
Szoboszlai must wait for Elliott for him to find him self on the bench 😠😠 the guy is very weak for sure
Wiecilmny
0
A mistake from slot, he should have played news faces after the international break. These players were tired and need about 9 days rest
erodas
1
the talking is too much.....always telling the whole world how u beat ur opponent...
Raybdenos
1
slot should not change Konate & Mac, salah & szobo should change with Endo & Nunez
fuwbdnoprt
0
it's just a beginning of looserpool journey and other teams yarning to play looserpool 👇😀😀
[image]
3-0😎🤫
sheffayo
0
honestly. everything clicked except Liverpool. nonsense
I dey tell you bruh,,, so painful
Joelinhocent
1
Nuno, you’ve just done your own just wait and see the next round of EPL actions and thanks for exposing our weak points.
lolosky_kg
0
Nuno is mad oooooo, he cost me a lot money yesterday. We're talking about money here not masterclass tactics
honestly. everything clicked except Liverpool. nonsense
kohcdklopz
2
we must also agree that missed chances played a role. anyone of those went in in the first half and it would have been a rout ..the low block would have had to change tact opening up the game.
sheffayo
1
Nuno is mad oooooo, he cost me a lot money yesterday. We're talking about money here not masterclass tactics
Seyakopu
0
it's just a beginning of looserpool journey and other teams yarning to play looserpool 👇😀😀
cunclnory
2
Its always dangerous to walk alone in the Notingham forest
wepabltuy
2
Useless substitutions cost the game. TAA is never a midfielder. Getting Konate out and bringing Jones... seriously?? Klopp V2.
Manufreeak
0
you'll sure get over the 3:0 defeat at Old Trafford one day, I pray you do.
dude just find your bus in the amazon forest
SalmanNguro
3
shut your mouth and do your work.... I have never seen a manager explain his tactics on live TV and look what happens when you're the first one to do that.
Bobckmpruz
0
[image]
you'll sure get over the 3:0 defeat at Old Trafford one day, I pray you do.
Manufreeak
1
Cebaceknuy
1
AINA my man of the match
comklmprst
0
this coach was explaining how he beat ten HAG now we are waiting for this one
jucabeimnt
1
no excuses for arn slot because of hi rvs. changing
laqracka_
3
up the mighty reds 😍
Catiklmpty
1
post international games tiredness, really?were liver players the only ones on international duty?written by a liverpool fan clear for all to see
viwbelptuy
5
tactical master, perhaps yes because at the end of the day it produced a result no one really envisaged. But clearly among the reasons given for Liverpool's losing the game I wish to agree with the one that premised on the tiredness from international duty. In this regard almost all the Liverpool players were on international call up to their teams whiles the same cannot be said of Nothingham forest. The international break really took a toll on the Liverpool players who were visibly tired on the day. And if it is really a master class I think Manchester United also came out with a plan but yet Liverpool found a way around it and pummeled them. So yes Nuno Espirito Santo is credited with a tactical master class that put paid to Liverpool's three match winning streak. Let hope that the so called master class continues to serve as a banana peel in subsequent games otherwise it would only be a tactics that would end up being a nine day wonder.