AnalysisTalking points: Lucky charm, Salah's rare feat and more from win over Forest

A solid performance saw the Reds make it three wins from three after the international break, and record an eighth straight home victory in all competitions.

Here are five talking points we noted on another positive afternoon in L4…

Jota’s run goes on

Liverpool’s lucky charm strikes again.

The Reds have never lost a game in which Jota has scored, and the Portugal international extended that run to 38 matches here.

Jota netted the opening goal, following up to fire home on 31 minutes after Nunez’s shot had been saved by Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner.

He celebrated by raising Luis Diaz’s No.7 shirt on the touchline, in an emotional gesture of support amid an ongoing family situation for the Colombian in his home country.

And so does Salah’s

Another week, another record for Salah, as he became only the third man in LFC history to score in each of the opening five home league games of a campaign.

Only Harry Chambers, in 1922, and John Aldridge, in 1987, had ever managed that feat before, and having been heavily involved in his side’s first two goals here, it was inevitable that Salah would find a way onto the scoresheet himself.

His moment arrived in the 77th minute as Dominik Szoboszlai’s ball over the top led to defensive hesitancy, allowing the Egyptian to slot the ball into an empty net for his 10th goal of the season in all competitions.

Relentless.

Defence earns its stripes

It may have been the attack that had Anfield purring here, but this was a victory underpinned by another strong defensive performance.

For the first time this season, Liverpool have recorded back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League. Music to the ears of Jürgen Klopp, and to captain Virgil van Dijk, whose classy performance alongside Ibrahima Konate ensured Forest found no way through.

The visitors did hit the bar late on through Anthony Elanga, but the fact they registered only one shot on target on the day is testament to the excellent work done by the Reds backline. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker was supremely well protected.

Nunez is on fire

After a purposeful start, Liverpool seized control of this game in a four-minute spell in the first half.

And Nunez played a key role in that.

It was his shot, pushed out by Turner, that allowed Jota to make it 1-0 just after the half-hour mark, and when Salah and Szoboszlai combined superbly soon after, it was the Uruguayan who was there to force the ball home at the Kop end.

Nunez has now contributed to goals in each of his last four games in the Premier League, with two goals and two assists in that time. The Reds’ No.9 is looking red-hot right now.

Szoboszlai shines bright

This was another midfield masterclass from Liverpool’s No.8.

Szoboszlai finished the game with two assists, picking out Nunez for the second goal and then seeing his ball, eventually, reach Salah for the hosts’ third.

In between, the Hungary captain was outstanding, registering more than 100 touches, creating four chances and completing 93 per cent of his 81 passes, with his composure, energy and touch helping the Reds to dominate the game.