Liverpool slumped to their eighth defeat in their last 11 matches in all competitions, and their sixth in the Premier League as Nottingham Forest deservedly won 3-0 at Anfield.
Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest
Premier League (12) | Anfield
November 22, 2025
Goals
Murillo 33′
Savona 46′
Gibbs-White 79′
5 changes with more rotation at full-back
The return from the international break brought news of injuries to Conor Bradley and Florian Wirtz; the former saw Dominik Szoboszlai deployed at right-back, with Jeremie Frimpong still injured.
Milos Kerkez returned after three games of losing out to Andy Robertson, while Arne Slot opted to start Alexander Isak to aid his fitness ahead of the in-form Hugo Ekitike.
There was also a welcome return for Alisson after a seven-week absence.
Familiar tale: Missed chances and behind at the break
Forest turned Liverpool around in the opening half, tasking Slot’s men with playing towards the Kop, and they were one goal-line clearance away from opening the scoring in the early exchanges.
Cody Gakpo, with quick feet, worked his way into the box adjacent to the byline and a double-deflection teed up Alexis Mac Allister, whose lifted shot was cleared by Elliot Anderson’s head.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 22, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Reds took control of possession and it was noticeable that Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones were interchanging on the right flank, with the latter dropping in possession.
Mohamed Salah, fresh after playing only one match for Egypt, was livelier than he has been for most of the season, and his dancing feet almost set up Kerkez, who skied his shot on his weaker foot.
Conversely, Alexander Isak had just one touch inside the first 23 minutes as his need to settle into the side was again made apparent.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 22, 2025: Referee Andrew Madley advising that there is a VAR check during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
For all of Liverpool’s possession and territory, though, it was Forest who scored first via Murillo from the second ball on a corner delivery, one that came as a heavy clearance from a counter-attack.
Alisson vocally argued his view was blocked by an offside player but it was given (because, of course, it was), but perhaps the officials evened the ledger by disallowing another goal moments later.
Igor Jesus got the better of a clumsy Ibrahima Konate to steer the ball into the bottom corner, but handball was the verdict as he controlled the ball – dubious to our eyes, but it was a grateful reprieve.
For the eighth time in the last 11 matches, Liverpool headed into halftime with a deficit.
Half time: Liverpool 0-1 Forest
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 22, 2025: Nottingham Forest's Murillo celebrates with team-mates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
From bad to horrific for Liverpool
If Liverpool’s confidence was wounded after conceding in the first half, it was dealt a seismic blow merely 39 seconds into the second half, with Forest doubling their lead.
While fans were barely settling into their seats, ex-Red Neco Williams had time to spin in the box and play a pass into fellow full-back Nicolo Savona, with Liverpool’s defence nowhere to be found.
Anfield grew frustrated as old habits proved not that old, while Forest fans sang ‘sacked in the morning’ from their corner of the ground – this time it wasn’t about their manager.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 22, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah tries to get a shot on target but was blocked by team-mate Hugo Ekitike (L) during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
After 55 minutes, Slot shuffled his lineup; Konate was withdrawn for Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch moved to centre-back as Szoboszlai and Jones swapped places for a basketball match to ensue.
Salah was one of few Reds who looked like he could make something happen, while Slot deemed Isak’s time was up after 15 touches and zero (0/7) duels won in 68 minutes.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 22, 2025: Morgan Gibbs-White scores the third goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Slot, as he has when Liverpool are left to chase games, threw on another forward in Rio Ngumoha, but Morgan Gibbs-White put the game beyond reach – not that it wasn’t already – by scoring Forest’s third.
Serious questions will now be asked of Slot, who, again, was without a response when his side went behind despite a squad of Liverpool’s quality. The defeat leaves the champions in 11th…
TIA Man of the Match: Mo Salah
Referee: Andy Madley
Liverpool: Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate (Ekitike 55′), Van Dijk, Kerkez (Robertson 68′); Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones (Ngumoha 78′); Salah, Gakpo, Isak (Chiesa 68′)
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Ramsay, Endo, Nyoni
Nottingham Forest: Sels; Savona, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Ndoye (Hudson-Odoi 87′), Gibbs-White, Dominguez (Hutchinson 61′); Jesus (Yates 87′)
Subs not used: Victor, Boly, Cunha, Morato, McAtee, Kalimuendo
Next match: PSV (H) – Champions League – Wed, Nov 26, 8pm (GMT)