Liverpool’s season has completely unraveled, leaving their hopes of defending the Premier League title looking increasingly unrealistic. When Nottingham Forest visited Anfield seeking a second consecutive win at the historic stadium, they handed the Reds yet another heavy defeat.
Murillo opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, and just moments later, Nicolo Savona doubled the visitors’ lead. The final blow came from Morgan Gibbs-White in the 78th minute.
Team News: Lineup and Absences
Liverpool entered the match with their usual 4-3-3 formation, but injuries forced manager Arne Slott into tricky adjustments. Alisson Becker returned to goal, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in central defense, while Milos Kerkes occupied the left back position. In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenbirch were tasked with creativity, while Curtis Jones played alongside Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak up front.
Missing key players like Jeremy Frimpong, Conor Bradley, and Florian Wertz left Liverpool lacking both defensive width and attacking flair.
Nottingham Forest, under Sean Dyche’s guidance, set up in a disciplined 4-2-3-1 formation. Mats Sells anchored the defense behind a back line of Neco Williams, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, and Nicolo Savona. In the middle, Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolas Dominguez provided grit, while Elliott Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Dan Ndoye supported lone striker Igor Jesus.
Even with injuries to Douglas Luiz and Ola Aina, Forest’s organization was tight, demonstrating a clear strategy to frustrate Liverpool and capitalize on counterattacks.
Match Summary: Familiar Struggles for Liverpool Fans
Liverpool began the match strongly, dominating possession and pushing Forest deep into their own half. The initial 20 minutes saw a flurry of red jerseys creating half-chances, with Mohamed Salah missing a wide shot and Dominik Szoboszlai forcing a fine save from Sells. Despite feeling they were on the brink of a breakthrough, Liverpool’s collapse was unexpected.
In the 33rd minute, Forest drew first blood. Elliott Anderson’s excellent corner caused chaos in the box, allowing Murillo to head the ball beyond Virgil van Dijk and Alisson. Although VAR checked for interference from Dan Ndoye, the goal stood, leaving Anfield silent as Forest celebrated an unlikely lead considering Liverpool’s earlier dominance.
The second half got off to a disastrous start for Liverpool. Just 39 seconds into the restart, Forest doubled their lead as Neco Williams cut in from the right wing, evaded defenders, and fired a shot into the top corner, assisted by Nicolo Savona. This incredible finish further dented Liverpool’s wavering confidence.
Slott made substitutions, bringing on Andrew Robertson, Federico Chiesa, and Hugo Ekitike, but Forest’s defense held firm. Liverpool’s best chance came in the 68th minute when Salah curled a shot towards the far post, only for Sells to expertly deflect it wide. Moments later, Forest struck again. In the 78th minute, substitute Omari Hutchinson’s shot was parried by Alisson, and Morgan Gibbs-White was quick to follow up and score, making it 3-0.
The final minutes were frustrating for Liverpool, with crosses cleared and shots blocked, met by discontented boos around Anfield. Conversely, Forest managed the game with composure, celebrating their first win at Anfield in 55 years and matching Liverpool’s largest home defeat in Premier League history. For Liverpool, this match highlighted their combination of sterile possession and defensive frailty—a debilitating mix jeopardizing their season.
Liverpool’s Crisis Deepens: Is Slott’s Time Running Out?
This marked Liverpool’s sixth loss in seven league matches, leaving them in 11th place with 18 points, eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal. Their title defense has crumbled, and even Slott’s tactical changes have failed to make a difference. They’ve conceded 20 goals in 12 games, a stark contrast to last season’s resilient defense.
The most pressing issue is the team’s overall play. There seems to be a lack of coherent strategy or execution. It feels as though Slott is simply choosing 11 players without a clear plan or understanding of how to outmaneuver opponents.
Changes made by Slott yielded little improvement; the team appeared just as lost as before. When they did attack with greater numbers, players frequently got in each other’s way, sabotaging their own chances rather than creating opportunities.
Defensively, players seem careless, with missed duels and loose balls frequently landing at the feet of opposing attackers. Meanwhile, midfielders are often second to every loose ball, their passes lack precision, and they struggle to cover necessary ground effectively.
Currently, Slott appears to have no solutions to this crisis. He built a legacy by securing the Premier League title in his first season, but that seems to be fading fast, and it remains unclear how long he will have to rectify the situation.
Another alarming reminder came just two weeks earlier when Liverpool lost 3-0 to Manchester City. In that match, City had more than their fair share of possession and executed Pep Guardiola’s attacking approach flawlessly. Now, facing Nottingham Forest at home, Liverpool lost by the same margin, highlighting their inability to adapt to different match scenarios.
Tactical Brilliance from Forest
Dyche’s strategy of aggressive pressing, disciplined defending, and ruthless counterattacks worked to perfection. Murillo and Savona capitalized on Liverpool’s weaknesses in set pieces and transitions, while Gibbs-White intelligently orchestrated their attacks. With this victory, Forest has climbed out of the relegation zone, now sitting comfortably in 16th place, showcasing Dyche’s impact.
VAR Controversy
Murillo’s opening goal sparked debate, as Ndoye stood close to Alisson, yet officials ruled he did not impede the keeper’s view. Shortly after, Forest had a second goal disallowed for a slight handball by Igor Jesus, a decision that Dyche deemed “astonishing.” These moments are likely to dominate post-match discussions.
Controversy isn’t uncommon in Premier League officiating. Liverpool might have more to say had it not been for a comparable disallowed goal they experienced against Manchester City, where Robertson was ruled offside in a move leading to Van Dijk’s header.
Despite these events, it’s clear that Liverpool fans are more focused on their team’s ongoing lackluster performance than on officiating issues.
Salah and Isak: A Silent Forward Line
Mohamed Salah marked his 300th Premier League appearance but was largely subdued. His two shots on target lacked power, while Alexander Isak extended his woeful run with four starts resulting in four losses. The Reds’ £446 million summer rebuilding effort is becoming increasingly disjointed.
Dyche’s Redemption
After being sacked by Everton, Dyche has revitalized Forest’s mentality. With two wins and one draw in their last three league matches, alongside a solid European performance, his influence is undeniably evident. The physicality and clarity of his team have exposed Liverpool’s vulnerabilities in ways that few anticipated.
The Road Ahead
Liverpool faces a seemingly favorable schedule, at least on paper:
- Upcoming fixtures include West Ham (November 30), Sunderland (December 3), Leeds (December 6), and Brighton (December 13)—matches that could determine Slott’s future, before they face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
- Buoyed by their Anfield win, Forest will take on Brighton (November 30) before facing Wolves (December 3) and Everton (December 6).
Conclusion
This defeat wasn’t merely a loss for Liverpool; it was a wake-up call. Despite controlling the game, they lacked effectiveness, while Forest capitalized on their opportunities with confidence.
Time is running out for Slott, while Dyche’s resurgence gains momentum. Anfield has seen many shocks, but none quite like this one.
Fan Take: This news underscores the volatile nature of soccer, reminding fans that even giants can struggle. For supporters and the sport as a whole, Liverpool’s decline prompts discussions about management accountability and the impact of tactical missteps on a team’s legacy.
