Liverpool’s disastrous afternoon at Anfield drew a sharp response from former England captain Wayne Rooney, who didn’t hold back in his assessment of Arne Slot’s struggling side following their 3-0 home defeat to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.
Before the international break, the Reds suffered a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City.
Although it was a disastrous result for Arne Slot’s side, it was still somewhat acceptable since it came against a team that is competing for the Premier League title.
However, the latest defeat has come against Nottingham Forest, a side that has sacked their manager this season and struggling in the bottom half of the table.
It was also a defeat that came at Anfield, the place considered a fortress for the Reds.
Wayne Rooney was full of praise for Nottingham Forest
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live after the match, Rooney praised Forest for their discipline and execution but admitted Liverpool were second best in every department.
The ex-Manchester United striker noted how the visitors displayed the grit and structure of a team fighting for survival, something Liverpool badly lacked.
Rooney said:
“Forest were outstanding defensively. They were really organised and putting their bodies on the line; we know that’s what you get from a Sean Dyche team. Then they were effective on the break as well and caused Liverpool problems.
“Early on Liverpool had a few good chances and Anderson got a couple of excellent blocks in, but once Forest got the first goal, they looked like they didn’t have any answers. Forest looked comfortable.”
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The defeat, Liverpool’s sixth in seven Premier League games, has left Slot under immense pressure, with fans questioning his tactics and decision-making.
Forest, meanwhile, produced arguably their best performance of the season, with Murillo, Savona, and Morgan Gibbs-White all on target in a result that sent shockwaves across the league.
With the Reds now eight points off league leaders Arsenal, Slot faces a defining moment in his Liverpool tenure.
As Rooney’s blunt observation made clear, Liverpool are not just losing games, they’re losing their identity.
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