Premier League, Sun 16th Aug 1992, City Ground, 16:00pm
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Liverpool FC
Referee: Mike Reed, H-T:1-0, Att:20,038
Match Report
LIVERPOOL yesterday completed a pointless start by the three clubs most favoured to contest the inaugural Premier League championship.
Featured in the first game to be televised live this season by BSkyB, Liverpool began their campaign later than Arsenal and Manchester United but the outcome was equally fruitless.
Moreover, the defeat could have been as embarrassing as that inflicted by Norwich City on Arsenal, a result which will form one of the surprises not only of the opening weekend but also of the whole season. Yet Liverpool are not, and perhaps will not be, the formidable side of old.
Outplayed and almost overwhelmed by Nottingham Forest throughout the first half, they looked more vulnerable at the back than they have been for three decades. If Graeme Souness persists with an obviously unsuitable formation, they are unlikely even to be among the principal contenders.
As was illustrated during the Charity Shield when they conceded four goals to Leeds United, their system of employing only three defenders is flawed. Tanner is not secure enough to operate with only two colleagues and Walters cannot offer the assistance required by a midfield player guarding a flank.
Whelan, stationed in front of the central trio, attempted to block the gaps which appeared around him and Wright tried to minimise the damage. Yet the understudy for Grobbelaar, who opted to represent Zimbabwe, was left to ponder the credibility of Liverpool's reputation.
James, who was acquired from Watford in the summer, was under siege for the first ten minutes and not until after the interval was he allowed even a temporary respite. By then Forest, tired by their own attacking exertions, were showing signs of fatigue.
They scored only once but the goal will have enhanced the interest which has recently centred on Sheringham. The tall centre forward, showing a significantly improved first touch and overall comfort on the ball, put them ahead with a spectacular strike on the half-hour.
Liverpool were convinced that he was offside when Gemmill threaded one of several incisive passes through their rearguard. Sheringham ignored their appeals, cut in from the left and unleashed a powerful drive diagonally beyond the reach of James.
Liverpool, unable to suppress the ideas of Clough, the runs of Keane and the movement of Sheringham, were regularly pierced. James had to block attempts from Keane and Clough in rapid succession and he closed the half by saving athletically again from Keane.
Rush subsequently withdrew with a groin strain and, although McManaman brought on with him a sense of positive urgency, Liverpool only once threatened to take a point away from a ground where they have not won for eight seasons.
Thomas spoiltthe opportunity by directing his effort at Crossley's legs. In the closing stages, Forest were denied a penalty which appeared to be as legitimate as Manchester United's claims at Sheffield United on Saturday. Keane fell under the impetus of James's spreadeagled frame but the referee who was otherwise consistently correct in all of his decisions visibly interpreted the stumble as a deliberate dive.
``I thought we could have scored a few more,'' Brian Clough, Forest's manager, claimed justifiably. He had insisted that his club would not miss the contribution of Walker, whose move to Sampdoria was completed during the summer. On this occasion, the opposition was not sufficiently inventive to expose the potential weakness.
Only half a dozen members of the Liverpoolteam which won last season's FA Cup were on view. Until they are restored to full strength and until their manager revises the personnel he requires to fit his system, their season is initially likely to prove uncomfortably unconvincing.
| TEAM LINE-UP'S | |
| Nottingham Forest | Liverpool |
| Crossley | James |
| Laws | Tanner |
| Pearce | Burrows |
| Wilson | Nicol |
| Chettle | Whelan |
| Keane | Wright |
| Crosby | Saunders |
| Gemmill | Stewart |
| Clough | Rush |
| Sheringham | Walters |
| Woan | Thomas |
| Substitutes | |
| Black | McManaman |
| Bannister | Rosenthal |
| Marriott | Hooper |
| Substitutions | |
| McManaman for Rush 45' | |
| Rosenthal for Walters 76' | |
| Black for Crosby 84' | |
| Goals | |
| Sheringham 29' | |
| Yellow Cards | |
| Keane | Burrows |
Rush |
| Red Cards | |
| Referee | |
| Mike Reed | |
| Attendance | |
| 20,038 | |
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