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The away side's success here in the prior year appeared a one-off in an typically commanding English top division performances at Anfield for Liverpool. This recurrence this season, a much more emphatic triumph under their manager, was a clear sign of the issues plaguing the struggling title holders.

Nottingham Forest's exemplary performance

Nottingham Forest proved exemplary as they recorded their largest triumph at Liverpool's home. Strikes from the defender, outstanding at either side of the playing surface, the full-back and the superb the playmaker led to a merited win for a team that also secured a maid clean sheet in twenty Premier League games.

Liverpool's difficulties

The hosts, in comparison, were a chaotic as they suffered an 8th setback in 11 fixtures to fall into the second tier of the table. Poor at set pieces, again, unproductive in attack, again, with Alexander Isak replaced after 68 anonymous moments, and poor in defense, they struggled in every area to succumb to a back-to-back heavy defeat.

Initial control lacking payoff

For 30 minutes the Reds maintained the initiative, the infrequent attack from Morgan Gibbs-White excepted, but the failure to turn promise into the hard currency of goals hurt them significantly. Alexis Mac Allister was presented with an early opportunity from the forward's surge into the box only for Anderson to execute a superb goalline clearance with his head. He had a another effort stopped shortly after while impressive control from Mohamed Salah produced another close-range opportunity for Kerkez. A Forest defender just succeeded to pressure the back into firing over.

Set-play vulnerability hits once more

Liverpool's coach has frequently criticized the team's vulnerability to transitions and dead balls this season. There was fresh cause for concern when Nottingham Forest scored first through a blend of the two.

Dyche was aghast after Igor Jesus did not pass to Nicolás Domínguez in an open area on the counter and presented Ibrahima Konaté opportunity to intercept. The following corner kick triggered jubilant scenes in the visitors' bench, however, when Anderson's cross touched Virgil van Dijk to the defender and the defender fired an irresistible finish from inside the box into the far corner. This evoked similarities of the defender's chalked-off strike against City in the away team's opener with Ndoye standing in an illegal position in front of Liverpool's fit-again keeper the goalie.

Video Assistant Referee calls and controversy

As expected, the Van Dijk was prompt to highlight the parallels to the official, Andrew Madley. However, unlike the full-back at the Manchester, Dan Ndoye made no apparent gesture in front of the goalkeeper and the goal stood. The Premier League confirmed: "The on-field decision of valid strike was reviewed and confirmed by VAR – with it considered that the player was outside of the line of vision of Alisson and avoided an action that affected an player."

The Reds were reprieved by the officiating team and VAR two minutes later when Jesus believed he had added to Forest's advantage.

Konaté, who suffered a terrible day, made an feeble try to deal with an Sangaré's cross and turned the sphere against the attacker, who controlled before placing the lower corner of the goalkeeper's posts. The referee, in discussion with his assistant, disallowed the attempt for a handball that multiple reviews were unable to prove or deny. The authority stated: "The referee's call of no goal was assessed and confirmed by the video assistant – with it judged that Igor Jesus accidentally handled the object before netting."

Second strike extends lead

Any hope from the reprieve. Moments of the kick-off Alexis Mac Allister failed to stop a delivery towards Williams inside the Anfield 18-yard box. Williams spun away from his opponent and presented Forest's second on a silver platter for teammate defender Nicolò Savona, who found Alisson's top corner with a calm side-foot finish.

Tactical adjustments prove ineffective

Arne Slot made changes, replacing the defender with Ekitiké after just before the hour and partnering the France striker next to Alexander Isak. That experiment lasted for only less than a quarter-hour before Isak was replaced following one more quiet performance. Federico Chiesa and Ngumoha were also introduced to the Anfield's frontline but carelessness in play and resolute Forest defending prevented the hosts at arm's length.

Final blow seals the result

Nottingham Forest displayed the skill and incisiveness that the hosts were missing in the opposition half to decide the game {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively