Liverpool legend says Reds lost 'psychological battle' to Nottingham Forest

A Liverpool legend has said Liverpool lost the 'psychological battle' with Nottingham Forest after the Reds were beaten 1-0 at Anfield on Saturday.

Liverpool lost their first game under Arne Slot, with Callum Hudson-Odoi scoring the only goal of the game; a second-half strike from outside the box which went in off the post.

Read more: Liverpool icon makes goalscoring return

Nicol's post-match comments

​​Steve Nicol is a Liverpool icon, a key player in four of Liverpool's First Division championships, winning titles in 1983/84, 1985/86, 1987/88 and 1989/90 as well as the European Cup in 1984.

Speaking on ESPN TV after Liverpool’s loss, Nicol said: “When you come back and you’re the big cheese and you’re playing against the small fry, it’s a psychological battle.”

He added: “Arne Slot said there were two or three good chances, I would love to know which ones they were because I only saw one.”

Nicol had already written off Liverpool as title contenders prior to this shock loss, saying he was surprised at their impressive start to the season, but adding they would comfortably finish in the top four.

Can Liverpool bounce back quickly?

The loss halted Liverpool’s perfect start to the season and came off the back of an international break which saw players travelling across Europe and South America. Every Liverpool starter at the weekend played for their nations over the international window.

Slot will hope his team can get over the result quickly and put in a much-improved performance as they take on AC Milan at San Siro in their Champions League opener on Tuesday, before they return to Premier League action against Bournemouth next weekend.

The Scottish defender added: “Right now this [the loss to Forest] is a one-off. Ask me again in three or four weeks if this happens again and that’s a different conversation.”