Liverpool Fans Urged Arne Slot to Make a Mid-Match Change vs Nottingham Forest

By Rousing The Kop Staff | February 22, 2026

In a tense Premier League clash at the City Ground, Liverpool manager Arne Slot faced mounting pressure from fans as Nottingham Forest held the Reds to a frustrating 0-0 draw early in the second half. With the score locked and Liverpool dominating possession but lacking cutting edge, supporters took to social media, passionately urging Slot to make a key tactical switch.[1][5]

The match, kicking off at 2:00 PM UTC, pitted 17th-placed Forest against 6th-placed Liverpool, who entered on a strong run of four wins in their last five games across all competitions. Slot's side fielded a strong lineup with two changes: Hugo Ekitike restored up front and Ryan Gravenberch back in midfield, alongside stars like Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, and Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back. Substitutes included Federico Chiesa and Curtis Jones.[3][4][5]

However, history loomed large. Slot has struggled against Forest since taking charge, enduring two defeats (0-3 at Anfield and 0-1 at home) and a 1-1 draw—zero wins from three meetings, even during Liverpool's 2024/25 title-winning campaign. Forest, boosted by a recent 3-0 Europa League win over Fenerbahçe under new manager Vítor Pereira, frustrated Liverpool despite their poor home form (just one goal in four City Ground games).[2][6]

As the game wore on without breakthroughs, fans clamored for Slot to substitute Szoboszlai from right-back into midfield, shifting Gravenberch wide or introducing dynamic options like Chiesa or Jones to unlock Forest's defense. Comments flooded platforms: "Slot, get Szobo central now— we're too predictable!" and "Mid-match change or we'll drop points again!" The calls intensified after Salah and Gakpo spurned chances, highlighting Liverpool's varied attack but blunt finishing.[2][5]

Despite Liverpool's 42 points from 26 games (12W-6D-8L), trailing leaders Arsenal (58 points), this stalemate risked halting momentum. Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White posed threats, but Alisson kept a clean sheet. Slot's response to fan demands remains pivotal as Liverpool chase Champions League spots.[1][6]

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