Liverpool’s season of abject misery plunged to new depths on Saturday afternoon as they suffered a humiliating 3–0 defeat to a resurgent Nottingham Forest at Anfield in the Premier League.
Arne Slot’s reigning champions came into the match hoping to respond after their heavy loss to Manchester City last week, but instead ran into a Forest side transformed under new manager Sean Dyche, who has quickly restored belief and intensity to a struggling squad.
Slot handed a starting spot to £125m British-record signing Alexander Isak in a bid to spark improvement, but the striker endured another invisible performance and was withdrawn after just 67 minutes to the frustration of the home supporters.
Forest took the lead on 33 minutes when Brazilian defender Murillo drilled a powerful low effort beyond the returning goalkeeper Alisson Becker, silencing an already tense Anfield.
The visitors thought they had doubled the advantage shortly after when Igor Jesus found the net, but VAR ruled the goal out for handball. Forest were not to be denied, however, and just 47 seconds into the second half former Liverpool full-back Neco Williams delivered a precise pass for Nicola Savona, who finished crisply in front of The Kop.
Liverpool offered little in response throughout a passive second period, and Forest completed the rout 12 minutes from time when Morgan Gibbs-White slotted home after Alisson parried Omari Hutchinson’s initial strike.
The result deepens Liverpool’s crisis, with the champions now having lost six of their last seven league matches, raising serious pressure on Slot and questions over a summer transfer outlay approaching £450m.
Forest, meanwhile, celebrated a memorable victory that lifts them further clear of relegation concerns and underlines the dramatic impact of Dyche’s arrival.
Results
Burnley 0-2
Brighton 2-1 Brentford
Fulham 1-0 Sunderland
Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham
