Liverpool in crisis as Forest storm home ground once more with three-nil win

The away side's win at Anfield in the prior year was a blip in an typically strong Premier League home record for the hosts. A second successive win this season, a much more emphatic victory under Sean Dyche, was indicative of the issues engulfing the faltering title holders.

The visitors' superb display

Forest were brilliant as they achieved their most significant victory at Anfield. Strikes from the defender, outstanding at each end of the field, the full-back and the superb the playmaker spurred a deserved victory for a Forest side that also maintained a initial shutout in 20 Premier League matches.

The home side's difficulties

The Reds, by contrast, were a chaotic as they endured an 8th defeat in 11 fixtures to fall into the bottom half of the table. Weak at set-plays, repeatedly, impotent in attack, consistently, with Isak withdrawn after sixty-eight anonymous minutes, and vulnerable at the back, they failed in all departments to yield to a consecutive three-nil defeat.

Initial pressure lacking result

For half an hour the home side held the initiative, the sporadic attack from the Forest attacker apart, but the failure to convert chances into the tangible reward of scores cost them dearly. Alexis Mac Allister was presented with an early-on opportunity from Gakpo's run into the penalty area only for the Forest player to execute a brilliant desperate block with his forehead. He had a follow-up attempt deflected moments later while impressive skill from Salah produced another close-range chance for Kerkez. An opposition player just did enough to put off the back into firing over.

Set-play weakness hits again

Arne Slot has repeatedly bemoaned the team's susceptibility to counterattacks and dead balls this season. He was given further evidence for frustration when the visitors took the lead through a blend of the both aspects.

Sean Dyche was aghast after Igor Jesus failed to pass to the midfielder in room on the break and presented Konaté the opening to intervene. The ensuing corner sparked celebratory reactions in the Forest dugout, nevertheless, when Anderson's cross glanced off Van Dijk to the defender and the centre-half hammered an unstoppable strike from close range into the opposite side. It brought similarities of the defender's chalked-off strike against City in the visitors' initial score with the forward standing in an offside in front of the home side's recovered goalkeeper the goalie.

Video Assistant Referee calls and debate

As expected, the the skipper was prompt to highlight the comparisons to the official, Madley. But unlike the full-back at the Etihad Stadium, Dan Ndoye made no obvious movement in front of the keeper and the goal was given. Officials clarified: "The initial ruling of a score was examined and verified by the video system – with it considered that he was outside of the view of the goalkeeper and avoided an move that impacted an defender."

Liverpool were saved by the referees and the system 120 seconds following when Jesus thought he had increased Nottingham Forest's cushion.

Konaté, who endured a poor day, made an unconvincing attempt to clear an the midfielder's ball and turned the ball against the Forest striker, who brought down before placing the net of the goalkeeper's net. The referee, in communication with his linesman, disallowed the strike for a handling that multiple replays were unable to prove or disprove. League officials announced: "The ruling of no goal was checked and upheld by the video assistant – with it judged that the player inadvertently handled the sphere before finishing."

Follow-up goal extends cushion

So much for the respite. Almost immediately of the restart Alexis Mac Allister was unable to intercept a delivery towards Neco Williams inside the Liverpool penalty area. The full-back spun away from his defender and laid the visitors' second on a silver platter for fellow defender the scorer, who picked out the goalkeeper's top corner with a calm accurate strike.

Strategic changes fail

Arne Slot took risks, substituting the defender with Hugo Ekitiké after 55 minutes and using the France striker next to Alexander Isak. The tactical shift persisted just a short period before Isak was replaced following a further ineffective performance. Federico Chiesa and Ngumoha were additionally introduced to the Liverpool attack but inefficiency in ball control and solid opposition backline kept the Reds at arm's length.

Final goal wraps up the outcome

The visitors demonstrated the precision and incisiveness that the hosts were lacking in the attacking phase to seal the match {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively

John Newton
John Newton

A film critic with over a decade of experience, specializing in indie cinema and international film festivals.