Liverpool's title defense has effectively ended following a decisive 3-0 defeat at home against Nottingham Forest. This loss, mirroring a similar setback from the previous season that did not derail their championship run, now places Liverpool in the bottom half of the league standings.
Manager Arne Slot acknowledged the team's performance was far from acceptable and took responsibility, while Sean Dyche, the opposing manager, celebrated a historic victory for Forest, their first at Anfield since 1974 and their biggest ever against Liverpool. The defeat was particularly damaging given Forest's precarious position in the relegation zone and their prior struggles to keep clean sheets.
Liverpool, despite boasting the most expensive striker in English football history, failed to score for the second consecutive game, marking the first time this has happened in two and a half years. Furthermore, they have lost successive league matches by three goals for the first time since April 1965.
Over the last two months, Liverpool has experienced a significant decline, suffering eight defeats in their last eleven outings, including six in their most recent seven Premier League fixtures, accumulating only three points from a possible twenty-one. Liverpool's struggles stem from recurring issues, including poor defending at set pieces and vulnerability to fast breaks.
Nottingham Forest capitalized on these weaknesses, with Murillo's opening goal coming from a corner, adding to Liverpool's tally of nine set-piece goals conceded in the league. Nicolo Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White scored after Forest executed quick transitions.
Slot's late tactical switch to overload with attackers, even deploying five forwards in an unusual formation, proved ineffective and symbolic of the team's desperation. The inclusion of a £125 million striker was questioned as he appeared largely uninvolved in the game.
A team needing to score first to gain an advantage conceded first for the ninth time in their recent slump. While Liverpool missed several early chances, including a shot brilliantly headed off the line, they went behind against the run of play.
Controversial VAR decisions regarding disallowed goals also played a part, although the focus remained on Liverpool's own failings. Savona's goal resulted from a defensive error, and Gibbs-White sealed the victory with a rebound.
Sean Dyche emphasized Forest's ability to cause trouble on the break and win with a different approach, highlighting their effort and resilience despite having only 25% possession. For Liverpool, however, the problems appear far from being resolved.
