The Reds facing disarray as Nottingham Forest storm home ground again with 3-0 triumph

Forest's win on Merseyside the previous campaign was a blip in an usually dominant Premier League home record for the Merseyside club. A second successive win now, a much more emphatic success under the Forest boss, was indicative of the challenges afflicting the faltering former winners.

The visitors' exemplary display

Nottingham Forest proved brilliant as they secured their most significant win at Liverpool's home. Strikes from the Brazilian, superb at either side of the field, Savona and the magnificent Morgan Gibbs-White inspired a well-earned win for a squad that also maintained a initial shutout in 20 top-flight matches.

Anfield's struggles

Liverpool, by contrast, were a disorganized as they endured an 8th defeat in 11 fixtures to slide into the second tier of the standings. Ineffective at dead-ball situations, repeatedly, unproductive in offense, again, with the striker replaced after sixty-eight quiet moments, and poor in defense, they failed in all departments to yield to a second successive 3-0 defeat.

Opening control missing payoff

For half an hour Liverpool held the advantage, the infrequent counter from Morgan Gibbs-White aside, but the inability to convert chances into the tangible reward of finishes proved costly. the midfielder was presented with an early opening from Gakpo's drive into the penalty area only for Elliot Anderson to deliver a brilliant line save with his skull. The Liverpool midfielder had a second shot stopped moments later while skilful control from Mohamed Salah set up another close-range opportunity for Milos Kerkez. An opposition player just succeeded to put off the back into blazing over.

Set-piece frailty afflicts once more

The manager has often criticized the team's vulnerability to fast breaks and set pieces in the current campaign. This provided further evidence for frustration when Forest scored first through a mix of the each weakness.

The Forest manager was shocked after Jesus did not pass to Nicolás Domínguez in space on the break and allowed Konaté the opening to clear. The resulting corner kick caused ecstatic moments in the visitors' bench, though, when Anderson's delivery touched Virgil van Dijk to the goalscorer and the defender hammered an unbeatable shot from close range into the opposite side. It brought similarities of Van Dijk's ruled out goal against the champions in the Forest's opener with Ndoye positioned in an illegal position in front of Anfield's fit-again keeper the Brazilian.

Video Assistant Referee rulings and debate

Unsurprisingly, the Van Dijk was quick to point out the similarities to the referee, Andrew Madley. But unlike the full-back at the City's ground, Dan Ndoye made no apparent action in front of the keeper and the strike stood. The Premier League stated: "The initial ruling of valid strike was checked and confirmed by the assistant – with it judged that Ndoye was away from the view of the keeper and avoided an action that impacted an player."

Liverpool were saved by the officiating team and the system 120 seconds after when Jesus thought he had added to Forest's lead.

The defender, who endured a poor match, made an feeble effort to clear an Ibrahim Sangaré's cross and directed the object against the attacker, who controlled before finding the net of Alisson's goal. The referee, in contact with his assistant referee, ruled out the attempt for a handling that several replays were unable to prove or deny. The authority said: "The referee's call of disallowed strike was reviewed and supported by the system – with it judged that Jesus unintentionally touched the ball before scoring."

Another strike extends advantage

That was the end of the respite. Moments of the restart Mac Allister failed to cut out a delivery towards Williams inside the Liverpool box. Williams evaded from his defender and presented the visitors' second on a platter for teammate defender the scorer, who located the keeper's upper corner with a composed side-foot finish.

Strategic adjustments prove ineffective

Liverpool's coach went for broke, substituting the defender with Ekitiké after just before the hour and partnering the French attacker next to the Swede. The tactical shift lasted for only less than a quarter-hour before the striker was substituted following another ineffective showing. Chiesa and the youngster were further added to the hosts' offense but carelessness in possession and solid Forest defending prevented the home side at arm's length.

Concluding strike wraps up the victory

Forest demonstrated the skill and penetration that Liverpool were missing in the final third to put the contest {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively