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Nottingham Forest's win at Anfield the previous campaign was a blip in an otherwise commanding English top division home campaign for the hosts. Their repeat now, a far more convincing success under their manager, was a clear sign of the problems plaguing the declining former winners.

Nottingham Forest's exemplary showing

Forest were impressive as they recorded their most significant win at the famous ground. Goals from the Brazilian, superb at both ends of the pitch, the full-back and the superb Morgan Gibbs-White inspired a well-earned win for a Forest side that also maintained a maid clean sheet in twenty division fixtures.

Liverpool's difficulties

The Reds, in comparison, were a disorganized as they suffered an 8th setback in 11 games to drop into the second tier of the standings. Ineffective at set-plays, once more, ineffectual in the final third, consistently, with the striker replaced after 68 uninfluential period, and vulnerable at the back, they struggled in every area to fall to a second successive heavy defeat.

Early pressure without result

For the opening half-hour the Reds enjoyed the upper hand, the occasional counter from Gibbs-White aside, but the inability to turn promise into the tangible reward of scores hurt them significantly. the midfielder was presented with an early opening from Cody Gakpo's drive into the area only for Anderson to execute a excellent desperate block with his forehead. The Liverpool midfielder had a another effort blocked moments later while dazzling skill from Salah set up another close-range chance for Milos Kerkez. An opposition player just managed to pressure the full-back into sending high.

Set-play weakness hits once more

Arne Slot has frequently bemoaned the team's weakness to transitions and set pieces in the current campaign. There was further evidence for complaint when Nottingham Forest scored first through a blend of the two.

The Forest manager was surprised after Jesus did not find Domínguez in room on the break and gave Konaté opportunity to intervene. The ensuing set-piece caused jubilant scenes in the Forest dugout, though, when Anderson's ball touched Van Dijk to the defender and the centre-half drilled an unbeatable strike from six yards into the far corner. There were echoes of the captain's chalked-off strike against Manchester City in the Forest's first goal with the forward standing in an illegal position in front of Liverpool's returning goalkeeper the goalie.

The review system rulings and controversy

Predictably, the the skipper was quick to mention the parallels to the match official, the ref. In contrast to Andy Robertson at the City's ground, 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 upheld by the assistant – with it judged that he was outside of the line of vision of Alisson and made no an action that influenced an player."

The Reds were reprieved by the match officials and VAR 120 seconds following when Jesus believed he had added to Forest's advantage.

The defender, who endured a poor afternoon, made an weak effort to deal with an the midfielder's cross and turned the sphere against the attacker, who brought down before placing the bottom corner of the goalkeeper's posts. The referee, in communication with his linesman, ruled out the strike for a handball that several reviews struggled to prove or refute. The authority stated: "The decision of disallowed strike was reviewed and confirmed by the video assistant – with it considered that Jesus inadvertently handled the ball before scoring."

Another strike extends lead

That was the end of the let-off. Within seconds of the kick-off Alexis Mac Allister was unable to intercept a ball towards Neco Williams inside the home 18-yard box. Williams turned from his opponent and presented Forest's second on a platter for partner defender Savona, who picked out Alisson's roof of the net with a simple accurate strike.

Strategic changes prove ineffective

Arne Slot made changes, replacing Konaté with the forward after the 55th minute and pairing the Les Bleus attacker with Isak. This change persisted just less than a quarter-hour before the striker was replaced following another quiet showing. Chiesa and Ngumoha were also thrown into the Anfield's frontline but sloppiness in possession and sturdy visitors' defense prevented the home side at distance.

Final blow wraps up the victory

The visitors showed the precision and cutting edge that Liverpool were lacking in the attacking phase to seal the match {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively