Liverpool plunged deeper into crisis as Nottingham Forest inflicted their sixth Premier League defeat of the season inside just 12 games. The international break did little to help the struggling Reds as they suffered a second straight 3-0 reverse in their disastrous title defence. Aside from a defeat to Manchester United, the Reds have boasted a strong record at Anfield this season but home comforts couldn't help them here.
Instead, Arne Slot's side suffered a sixth loss in their last seven league games thanks to goals from Murillo, Nicolo Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White. The result means they are in the bottom half of the table, have a minus goal difference and must worry more about finishing fourth than first. Express Sport rates and slates the Liverpool players...
Liverpool player ratings vs Nottingham Forest
Alisson - 6
Returned to the team for the first time since September but was helpless for the first two goals. Produced a brilliant save moments before being let down by his defence for the Gibbs-White strike that killed the game.
Dominik Szoboszlai - 5
Deployed at right-back but impressed most when moving centrally - where he belongs. Liverpool lose so much when he's not in midfield. Combined well with Salah in attack but decision-making sometimes questionable.
Ibrahima Konate - 3
Error after error in the first half and got lucky Igor Jesus had a goal controversially ruled out. Hooked before the hour mark. Has been well below his level this season.
Virgil van Dijk - 5
Failed to command the Liverpool backline and unable to block Gibbs-White's shot as Forest poured salt in the wounds late on. Slot needs more from his captain.
Milos Kerkez - 5
Restored to the starting XI and might have done better with one shot at 0-0. Still question marks defensively too.
Ryan Gravenberch - 5
Lost the midfield battle and later dropped into centre-back. Started the season well but has now been off his standard for a while. Booked.
Curtis Jones - 5
Completed almost all of his passes but still couldn't give Liverpool the midfield control they needed.
Alexis Mac Allister - 5
Forced a goalline block and a good save from Matz Sels with a header. Worked hard off the ball but way too easily beaten in the lead-up to the second goal though.
Mohamed Salah - 7
Much more like it from Salah. Was far more involved than recent games and constantly tried to force the issue for Liverpool. Just couldn't do it all on his one despite creating some promising opportunities. Needed more help.
Alexander Isak - 3
Virtually anonymous. Only 11 first-half touches and just three more in the second half. His only shot was a complete slice on the volley that went sideways.
Cody Gakpo - 5
Was one of few who looked like he might make things happen first half but never quite able to. Too slow across to Savona for the second goal.
Substitutes
Hugo Ekitike (Konate 55) - 5
Didn't have much of an impact.
Andy Robertson (Kerkez 68) - 5
Blocked an Omari Hutchinson shot that might've led to a fourth goal.
Federico Chiesa (Isak 68) - 5
Fired one over the crossbar and denied a goal by a Murillo block. Booked for dissent.
Rio Ngumoha (Jones 78) - N/A
A late introduction and still so very raw.