The Reds in disarray as the visitors conquer Anfield again with 3-0 triumph
The away side's success on Merseyside in the prior year appeared a one-off in an otherwise commanding English top division performances at Anfield for Liverpool. Their repeat in the current campaign, a far more convincing triumph under Sean Dyche, was symptomatic of the challenges engulfing the struggling title holders.
Forest's outstanding display
The team was brilliant as they recorded their largest victory at the famous ground. Strikes from the Brazilian, outstanding at both ends of the playing surface, the full-back and the magnificent Gibbs-White inspired a deserved success for a team that also secured a maid clean sheet in 20 top-flight fixtures.
Liverpool's woes
The hosts, by contrast, were a chaotic as they suffered an 8th defeat in eleven matches to fall into the second tier of the table. Ineffective at set-plays, again, ineffectual in the final third, again, with Alexander Isak replaced after 68 quiet moments, and vulnerable at the back, they faltered in all departments to yield to a consecutive heavy defeat.
Early dominance missing result
For the opening half-hour the home side held the advantage, the occasional counter from the Forest attacker excepted, but the failure to convert chances into the hard currency of scores cost them dearly. the midfielder was given an initial opportunity from Cody Gakpo's run into the box only for Elliot Anderson to deliver a superb goalline clearance with his head. The Liverpool midfielder had a second shot stopped shortly after while skilful footwork from Mohamed Salah produced another close-range opening for the defender. A Forest defender just did enough to disturb the full-back into sending high.
Set-piece vulnerability hits once more
Arne Slot has repeatedly lamented the team's vulnerability to counterattacks and set pieces now. He was given further evidence for frustration when Forest scored first through a blend of the both aspects.
The Forest manager was shocked after Igor Jesus was unable to release Domínguez in room on the break and allowed the defender the opening to intervene. The ensuing corner kick triggered ecstatic scenes in the Forest dugout, however, when Anderson's cross glanced off Virgil van Dijk to the defender and the centre-half fired an unbeatable shot from inside the box into the opposite side. There were reminders of the defender's chalked-off goal against Manchester City in the visitors' opener with Dan Ndoye standing in an offside position in front of Liverpool's returning goalkeeper the goalie.
The review system calls and dispute
As expected, the the skipper was quick to point out the comparisons to the official, the ref. However, unlike Andy Robertson at the Manchester, Ndoye made no apparent action in front of the goalkeeper and the goal was given. The Premier League stated: "The on-field decision of a score was reviewed and verified by the assistant – with it deemed that he was outside of the sightline of Alisson and did not make an action that influenced an defender."
The home side were reprieved by the officiating team and video review a short time later when Jesus believed he had doubled Forest's lead.
Ibrahima Konaté, who endured a dreadful afternoon, made an weak attempt to deal with an Sangaré's cross and turned the object against the Forest striker, who controlled before finding the bottom corner of Alisson's net. Madley, in discussion with his linesman, disallowed the effort for a handling that several reviews struggled to prove or deny. The authority stated: "The decision of invalid score was checked and upheld by VAR – with it considered that Igor Jesus accidentally touched the ball before netting."
Another strike increases lead
That was the end of the respite. Almost immediately of the kick-off Mac Allister failed to stop a ball towards Williams inside the Liverpool box. The former Liverpool defender turned from his marker and presented their next goal on a plate for fellow full back Savona, who located the goalkeeper's upper corner with a calm side-foot finish.
Managerial changes prove ineffective
Arne Slot made changes, bringing off Ibrahima Konaté with Ekitiké after the 55th minute and using the France striker with the Swede. That experiment continued just less than a quarter-hour before the striker was replaced following one more ineffective showing. Chiesa and the youngster were additionally introduced to the hosts' offense but inefficiency in possession and resolute Forest defending kept the Reds at arm's length.
Concluding goal wraps up the victory
The visitors demonstrated the finesse and incisiveness that Liverpool were lacking in the final third to put the contest {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively