Merseyside | Liverpool’s miserable run continues

Liverpool 0 - 3 Nottingham Forest

Liverpool’s bleak campaign took another downturn as they were swept aside with ease by an impressive Nottingham Forest.

Author | William G

Stadium | Anfield

Arne Slot’s reigning champions had hoped to recover from a heavy loss at Manchester City, yet instead met a Forest team transformed under Sean Dyche and playing with renewed conviction.

Slot handed a start to Alexander Isak, the £125m British record signing, but the striker struggled again and was withdrawn after 67 subdued minutes. This will have concerned fans and coaches alike, who will be wondering when the former Newcastle forward will kickstart his Anfield career.

Forest struck after 33 minutes, Murillo driving a fierce effort beyond the returning Alisson to deepen the tension inside the stadium.

Igor Jesus saw a second ruled out for handball, but Forest extended their lead just 39 seconds into the second half when former Liverpool defender Neco Williams picked out Nicola Savona, who finished neatly in front of the Kop.

Their performance here unravelled further. The visitors added a third with 12 minutes left, Morgan Gibbs White reacting quickest after Alisson had parried Omari Hutchinson’s shot.

The result leaves Liverpool in 11th place ahead of Saturday’s late match, and with six defeats in their past seven league outings, scrutiny is intensifying over Slot’s near £450m summer outlay.

Forest are pulling clear of danger and move up to 16th

Dyche has swept away the 39-day turmoil of Ange Postecoglou’s brief spell at Nottingham Forest, restoring a sense of purpose that was clear from the celebrations in the away end at Anfield.

This was the Forest that pushed for a Champions League place for much of last season under Nuno Espirito Santo before eventually securing a Europa League berth. They were tough and direct at times, but there was also genuine flair and threat in their forward play.

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Dyche was his usual energetic self on the touchline, yet there was no mistaking his satisfaction as Forest outmuscled Liverpool so comprehensively that one of Anfield’s trademark late revivals never looked likely.

Forest displayed the power and structure expected of a Dyche side, but it would be unfair to overlook the quality they showed in a victory that requires more than brute force. Murillo was outstanding at the back and chipped in with a goal, while Ibrahim Sangare controlled midfield. Elliott Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White provided the guile.

Igor Jesus caused persistent problems for Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, and the closing exchanges unfolded in a muted atmosphere that has become a rarity at Anfield.

Forest’s resurgence under Dyche gathers pace, adding this win to their recent victory over Leeds United and draw with Manchester United.