Liverpool’s disastrous afternoon at Anfield drew a sharp reaction from former England captain Wayne Rooney, who was unreserved in his assessment of Arn Slott’s struggling side after a 3-0 home defeat to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.
Before the international break, the Reds lost 3-0 against Manchester City.
It was a disastrous result for Arne Slott’s side, but it was still somewhat tolerable as they were playing against a team competing for the Premier League title.
However, their most recent defeat came against Nottingham Forest. The team lost its manager this season and is struggling in the bottom half of the table.
It was also a defeat at Anfield, considered the Reds’ stronghold.
Wayne Rooney praised Nottingham Forest
After the match, Rooney praised Forest’s discipline and execution on BBC Radio 5 Live, but admitted that Liverpool were second best in every department.
The former Manchester United striker pointed out how the visitors showed the grit and structure of a team fighting for survival, which was sorely lacking at Liverpool.
Rooney said:
“Forest were outstanding defensively. They were really organized and played physical. That’s what we know you get from Sean Dyche’s team. Then they were effective on the breaks and caused problems for Liverpool.”
“Liverpool had some chances early on and Anderson made some great blocks, but once Forest took the lead they didn’t look like they had an answer. Forest looked comfortable.”
Liverpool’s crisis continues under Arne Slott
It was Liverpool’s sixth loss in seven Premier League games and has put a lot of pressure on Slott, with fans questioning his tactics and decision-making.
Meanwhile, Forest shocked the league with perhaps their best performance of the season, with Murillo, Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White all scoring.
Slott is at a defining moment in his Liverpool tenure, with the Reds eight points clear of league leaders Arsenal.
As Rooney’s candid observations made clear, Liverpool are not just losing games, they are losing their identity.
Virgil van Dijk points out specific weaknesses after Liverpool’s defeat to Nottingham Forest
