Liverpool slumped to a concerning defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest on November 22.
After losing to Manchester City last time out, the Reds had won just one of their previous six Premier League fixtures under Arne Slot.
Liverpool made a number of changes on Saturday, some enforced and some selection-based, including Alexander Isak being given the nod ahead of Hugo Ekitike.
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Mohamed Salah started well against Forest, but as has so often been the case this season, the Reds were caught out defensively.
Murillo opened the scoring in the 33rd minute from a corner, taking a 1-0 lead into the break.
Liverpool’s players were switched off when play resumed, allowing Nicolo Savona to make it 2-0 in the 46th minute before Morgan Gibbs-White added a third late on, which was enough for Forest to secure another shock win at Anfield.
Arne Slot and Sean Dyche before Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Jamie Carragher was right about Arne Slot
Earlier this week, Jamie Carragher suggested that Slot is now obsessed with the Champions League.
The Dutchman has made some interesting calls in Europe so far this season, putting out strong sides against what most would call weaker opponents.
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And after seeing his starting eleven against Forest, it did appear as though a number of decisions were made with one eye on the PSV fixture this coming Wednesday.
Ekitike is Liverpool’s top scorer in all competitions this term, but Isak started ahead of him despite not being fully match fit.
Andy Robertson was also benched for the struggling Milos Kerkez, who had been demoted to the Reds’ second-choice left-back prior to the November break.
Both were interesting calls, especially given that PSV are one of the weaker teams Liverpool will face in the Champions League this season. So, it would have made more sense to hand underperforming players and those lacking match sharpness a run-out against the Dutch outfit instead.
Should Liverpool sack Arne Slot?
Arne Slot following Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool must sign a defender in January
Despite Forest going into the clash as one of the lowest scorers in the Premier League and Alisson making his long-awaited return, the home team once again failed to keep a clean sheet.
Prior to gameweek 12, Slot’s men had already conceded more than double their total at this stage last season.
Season Manager Goals conceded Position (GW11)
2025/26 Arne Slot 17 8th
2024/25 Arne Slot 6 1st
2023/24 Jurgen Klopp 10 3rd
2022/23 Jurgen Klopp 14 8th
2021/22 Jurgen Klopp 11 2nd
2020/21 Jurgen Klopp 17 2nd
2019/20 Jurgen Klopp 9 1st
2018/19 Jurgen Klopp 5 2nd
2017/18 Jurgen Klopp 17 6th
2016/17 Jurgen Klopp 14 1st
2015/16 Brendan Rodgers / Jurgen Klopp 15 8th
Again, the Reds’ defenders were far too easily beaten on Saturday, and as fans have already pointed out, Liverpool must sign a centre-back in January.
Van Dijk has been questioned by Wayne Rooney, while Ibrahima Konate has looked off his game this term.
Marc Guehi is an option, and Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni could be available in 2026 after being offered to the Merseyside club.
Hugo Ekitike should have started over Alexander Isak
It was surprising to see the Frenchman benched on Saturday, and with the benefit of hindsight, it was the wrong decision.
Isak was anonymous for large periods, hardly getting a touch during his time on the pitch.
Ekitike was brought on with Liverpool already two goals down, and while he looked much sharper than his striker counterpart, he was unable to turn things around.
Liverpool have now lost six of their last seven Premier League games.