Liverpool physicality a worry as Oliver Glasner looks to repair relationship with Crystal Palace fans - Premier League hits and misses

Arne Slot was right to praise Liverpool's mentality in their 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Alexis Mac Allister stepped up. Dominik Szoboszlai showed tremendous composure. Rio Ngumoha made a big impression after coming off the bench.

But it will take even more than Mac Allister's magical moment in the 97th minute to shake off the memory of a first-half performance that Slot conceded was the worst that he has seen by his side. There is the lingering sense that it revealed Liverpool's flaws.

Physically outmatched by Forest, they were "monstered" in the words of Jamie Carragher and far too passive on the ball. Even amid the praise, it was a theme throughout Slot's post-match press conference afterwards at the City Ground.

Ngumoha is learning to deal with the Premier League and its physicality. Florian Wirtz had to withdraw because "in this league, he understands that no matter how good you are on the ball, you need to be 100 per cent" to be able to cope with its demands.

Liverpool did turn the tide but both managers agreed that Forest's exertions in Turkey on Thursday evening were a factor. Slot's side had a free week. But with Liverpool still in the FA Cup and the Champions League knockouts to come, there will not be many of them.