Liverpool’s horrendous Premier League form continued as they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Any slim hopes of a potential tilt of challenging to defend the title have been truly crushed as the Reds’ problems throughout the 2025-26 season were laid bare over 90 minutes. They were deficient in attack and insipid in defence as pressure has ramped up on Arne Slot just six months after delivering the silverware.
Match report
Liverpool started the game on top and in the eighth minute, Cody Gakpo wiggled his way into the box and teed-up Alexis Mac Allister but his shot was blocked by Forest’s Elliott Anderson.
Eight minutes later Milos Kerkez couldn’t keep a shot down at the back post having been picked out by Mo Salah, while Cody Gakpo had two shorts thwarted.
But against the run of play, Liverpool fell behind as their vulnerability from set-pieces were once again exposed. A Forest corner was not dealt with and the ball dropped for Murillo who drilled home. Two minutes later, the visitors thought they had doubled their advantage through Igor Jesus but, luckily for Liverpool, a handball was given.
Liverpool did create a couple of chances in their bid to equalise before the break but Mac Allister and Salah both produced relatively comfortable saves from Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Slot would have demanded an intense start to the second half from his troops. Instead, he witnessed Liverpool fall further behind within 60 seconds of the restart. Former Liverpool full-back Neco Williams beat Mac Allister far too easily and picked out Nicola Savona unmarked to finish beyond Alisson.
The Reds barely mustered a response to get back into the game. Salah dragged one shot wide and Szoboszlai had a low shot saved. But Liverpool were devoid of attacking ideas and they were punished again by Forest with 13 minutes left when Morgan Gibbs-White pounced on Omari Hutchinson’s saved shot which left the Anfield crowd both bewildered and angered.
That led to droves of supporters heading for the turnstiles as they watched Liverpool lose for the eighth time in 11 games in all competitions. If it was not a crisis beforehand then it’s hard to argue against that after this latest defeat.
Liverpool player ratings vs Forest
Not a chance with the opening goal or Jesus' effort that was chalked out but otherwise untested in the first half. No chance with either goal in the second half.
1. Alisson Becker - 6
Not a chance with the opening goal or Jesus' effort that was chalked out but otherwise untested in the first half. No chance with either goal in the second half. | Getty Images
Showed creativity in the first half as a makeshift right-back and delivered some decent set-pieces but was involved in a mix-up with Gravenberch that would led to Forest's corner to open the scoring. Moved into midfield in the second half but couldn't impact the game.
2. Dominik Szoboszlai - 5
Showed creativity in the first half as a makeshift right-back and delivered some decent set-pieces but was involved in a mix-up with Gravenberch that would led to Forest's corner to open the scoring. Moved into midfield in the second half but couldn't impact the game. | Getty Images
Defended on the front foot in the first half but couldn't marshal the back four from a set-piece again. Failed to stop the rot in the second half.
3. Virgil van Dijk - 5
Defended on the front foot in the first half but couldn't marshal the back four from a set-piece again. Failed to stop the rot in the second half. | Getty Images
Should have dealt with the ball better which gave Forest their corner to break the deadlock and made a meal of the cross that provided Igor's disallowed goal. Lucky to get away with a potential foul on Igor before being subbed in the 55th minute.
4. Ibrahima Konate - 4
Should have dealt with the ball better which gave Forest their corner to break the deadlock and made a meal of the cross that provided Igor's disallowed goal. Lucky to get away with a potential foul on Igor before being subbed in the 55th minute. | Getty Images