Nottingham Forest midfielder Remo Freuler has been blasted by BBC pundit Ashley Williams on Match of the Day. The Reds maestro switched off to allow Mohamed Salah to score the winning goal during Saturday’s 3-2 victory for Liverpool.
Forest aren’t going to leave the Premier League quietly it would seem. On Saturday they did at least showcase to their supporters that they will fight tooth and nail to preserve their Premier League status.
At Anfield, they twice came from behind to frustrate Liverpool. Goals from Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White briefly restored parity on two occasions for the Reds but they couldn’t claim a point.
The third goal was perhaps the most frustrating of the lot. After winning a free-kick for his team on the right-hand side, Salah got himself into the box and was given the freedom of Anfield to notch the winner.
Williams made several appearances in the Premier League. He’s thrown some blame on Freuler for the third and decisive goal; with the Switzerland man switching off to allow Salah a shot at goal.
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He said on Match of the Day: “As good as the ball in is from Trent Alexander-Arnold, it’s just as poor defending from Nottingham Forest. It’s Freuler again on the wrong side of Mo Salah. He should be goal side and between the ball and the goal.”
Freuler blasted by Williams after Forest defeat
The 31-year-old hasn’t been a bad signing for the Reds. He cost the club £7.5 million from Atalanta but in recent months it’s fair to say he’s missed the presence of Ryan Yates alongside him.
Forest’s best form came when those two were pulling the strings in midfield. Ultimately, he’s struggled without him and defensively he does have a serious tendency to switch off far too often.
Freuler was definitely at fault for the third goal that Liverpool scored. It was all a little bit too easy for Salah and it’s not the first time that Forest have conceded from his defensive lapse.
The player does have some clear qualities. However, he has to stop losing his man in the penalty area if Forest are to have any chance of Premier League survival this season.