Liverpool's Focus on Finishing Ahead of Nottingham Forest Clash
Jeremie Frimpong says Liverpool have been given one blunt instruction since their opening-day draw at Newcastle United: start finishing.
The Reds return to Anfield on Saturday lunchtime to face Nottingham Forest, still chewing over missed chances from the 2-2 at St. James’ Park – a game rescued only by Dominik Szoboszlai’s 99th-minute penalty.
‘Just finish the actions’
Andoni Iraola’s first competitive game in charge delivered plenty of promise but also a clear lesson. Liverpool created, probed, and controlled long spells in Newcastle. They didn’t kill the game.
Frimpong laid out the message from the head coach and his staff in stark terms.
“Finishing your chances, finishing the actions, because that’s what gets you the result,” the right-back told Liverpoolfc.com. “You can keep the ball all you want but if you don’t finish then it stays 0-0 or they end up scoring, so [the message has been]: just finish the actions.”
The late equaliser on Tyneside masked a frustrating afternoon in front of goal. Inside the dressing room, the takeaway was simple: dominance without a ruthless edge won’t be enough.
Adapting to Iraola’s demands
New coach, new ideas, new patterns. Iraola’s debut on the touchline marked the start of a shift in style, and Frimpong is under no illusions that it will take a little time for everything to click.
“It’s normal,” he said. “I think every coach has their own type of system that they want to play and it takes time to adjust and for us to know, and get used to it [to a point] where we’re comfortable with it.
“So, we’re still working on it but I think it’s going the right way.”
The early signs have been encouraging. High tempo, aggressive pressing, full-backs pushed into demanding roles. For Frimpong, that has meant a clear, defined position.
Right-back and relishing it
Since Iraola walked through the door, Frimpong has been used exclusively at right-back. No rotation between roles, no drifting further forward. One job, done with intensity.
“This whole pre-season I played right-back and I’m getting more comfortable there,” the No.30 explained.
“Last season was a mixture of right wing and right-back, but right now it’s just been right-back. I feel like I’m defending more, I’m recovering more [and] I still attack, of course. But I like it, I’m enjoying it.
“Obviously first of all, [I am enjoying] just being on the pitch because last season [I had] injuries, so just being on the pitch and looking at my teammates and trying to help them out [is good].”
The role suits Iraola’s approach: relentless running, quick recovery, and the licence to surge forward when the space opens up. Frimpong sounds like a player who has found clarity – and is determined to make up for lost time after last season’s injury issues.
‘This is home’
Now comes the first Anfield outing of the new campaign. Forest arrive under Oliver Glasner with a clear identity of their own and memories still fresh of how awkward his Crystal Palace side made life for Liverpool last season.
Frimpong can’t wait to step back out in front of the Kop – but he isn’t dressing the fixture up as anything other than a serious examination.
“This is home, this is where we’re comfortable at, this is where we are at peace,” he said. “So, it’s going to be a tough game, but we’re happy to be home again with all of our fans… when you’re at home with fans like Liverpool’s, it’s amazing.
“Obviously we would have liked to win against Newcastle but I don't think it’s a bad result coming from St. James’ Park. But we definitely want to win against Forest for sure. It’s going to be a hard battle but we’ll see what happens.”
The draw on Tyneside was acceptable. Dropped points at Anfield would not be received the same way.
A chance scouting trip
Frimpong already has a recent look at Forest stored in his mind. By chance, he watched them in pre-season – and came away impressed.
“I’ve watched Forest. They had a pre-season friendly against [Bayer] Leverkusen and I went over to watch them. They play good football, they are really good,” he revealed.
“I really like how they play. Obviously they play similar to Crystal Palace last season because of the manager, and obviously we had a difficult time with Crystal Palace last season. So, like I said, it’s going to be a tough game, for sure.”
Liverpool know what’s coming: a well-drilled, energetic side, shaped by a coach who has already caused them problems in the Premier League.
They also know what has to change from last weekend. The patterns are there, the chances are coming. Now it’s about that last, ruthless touch in front of goal – and whether Iraola’s message about “finishing the actions” finally turns dominance into three points.
