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The away side's success at Anfield the previous campaign appeared a one-off in an otherwise commanding English top division performances at Anfield for Liverpool. Their repeat in the current campaign, a decisively stronger victory under their manager, was a clear sign of the issues afflicting the declining champions.

Nottingham Forest's exemplary display

The team was exemplary as they secured their biggest triumph at Anfield. Scores from the defender, superb at both ends of the pitch, Savona and the exceptional Gibbs-White spurred a merited victory for a team that also kept a initial shutout in twenty division matches.

Liverpool's woes

The Reds, by contrast, were a chaotic as they endured an eighth setback in eleven games to slide into the lower half of the table. Weak at dead-ball situations, repeatedly, ineffectual in the final third, again, with Isak replaced after sixty-eight quiet minutes, and poor in defense, they failed in each phase to yield to a consecutive heavy loss.

Opening pressure without reward

For the opening half-hour the home side held the advantage, the occasional attack from Gibbs-White aside, but the inability to turn promise into the actual outcome of scores cost them dearly. the midfielder was offered an initial opportunity from Gakpo's surge into the area only for the Forest player to produce a brilliant line save with his skull. Mac Allister had a another effort stopped soon after while impressive skill from Mohamed Salah set up another short-distance chance for Milos Kerkez. The visiting defender just succeeded to put off the back into blazing over.

Dead-ball vulnerability hits again

The manager has frequently lamented Liverpool's weakness to counterattacks and dead balls this season. This provided new reason for concern when Nottingham Forest opened the scoring through a blend of the both aspects.

Sean Dyche was shocked after Jesus failed to pass to the midfielder in space on the counter and gave Ibrahima Konaté a chance to intervene. The resulting set-piece triggered celebratory reactions in the visitors' bench, though, when the midfielder's ball glanced off Virgil van Dijk to Murillo and the centre-half drilled an irresistible finish from six yards into the far corner. It brought reminders of the captain's ruled out strike against Manchester City in the away team's initial score with Ndoye positioned in an offside in front of Anfield's returning goalkeeper the goalie.

Video Assistant Referee calls and dispute

As expected, the Liverpool captain was quick to point out the comparisons to the referee, Andrew Madley. But unlike Robertson at the Etihad Stadium, Ndoye made no clear action in front of the keeper and the strike remained. The league stated: "The on-field decision of valid strike was examined and confirmed by the assistant – with it deemed that the player was away from the line of vision of the keeper and avoided an move that influenced an player."

The Reds were let off by the referees and the system two minutes later when Igor Jesus believed he had increased the visitors' lead.

Ibrahima Konaté, who endured a terrible afternoon, made an feeble attempt to deal with an Sangaré's cross and directed the sphere against the attacker, who controlled before placing the bottom corner of the goalkeeper's goal. Andrew Madley, in discussion with his linesman, chalked off the strike for a handball that several reviews were unable to confirm or disprove. The authority said: "The ruling of no goal was assessed and supported by VAR – with it considered that the player unintentionally handled the ball before scoring."

Follow-up score increases advantage

So much for the respite. Almost immediately of the resumption Mac Allister did not stop a pass towards Williams inside the home 18-yard box. Williams evaded from his marker and presented Forest's second on a plate for partner defender Nicolò Savona, who picked out Alisson's roof of the net with a calm placed shot.

Tactical changes prove ineffective

Liverpool's coach made changes, bringing off Konaté with Hugo Ekitiké after the 55th minute and pairing the French attacker next to the Swede. The tactical shift persisted just less than a quarter-hour before Alexander Isak was replaced following a further anonymous showing. the winger and Rio Ngumoha were also added to the Anfield's frontline but carelessness in ball control and resolute Forest defending prevented the hosts at bay.

Final strike wraps up the result

Forest demonstrated the precision and incisiveness that the home team were without in the attacking phase to decide the game {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively