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Forest's win at Anfield last season was a blip in an otherwise commanding top-flight performances at Anfield for the hosts. A second successive win in the current campaign, a decisively stronger triumph under Sean Dyche, was indicative of the issues engulfing the declining title holders.

Forest's superb performance

Nottingham Forest proved brilliant as they achieved their most significant win at Liverpool's home. Goals from the Brazilian, outstanding at both ends of the field, Savona and the magnificent Gibbs-White inspired a well-earned victory for a squad that also kept a initial shutout in 20 top-flight games.

Anfield's difficulties

The hosts, on the other hand, were a chaotic as they suffered an eighth setback in eleven matches to drop into the lower half of the league. Ineffective at dead-ball situations, repeatedly, ineffectual in attack, again, with the striker withdrawn after sixty-eight anonymous moments, and poor in defense, they faltered in each phase to fall to a second successive three-nil loss.

Early control lacking reward

For half an hour the home side maintained the advantage, the sporadic break from Morgan Gibbs-White aside, but the shortcoming to convert chances into the hard currency of goals cost them dearly. the midfielder was presented with an early opening from the forward's run into the penalty area only for the Forest player to produce a excellent line save with his head. He had a another effort blocked soon after while skilful control from the winger created another close-range chance for Milos Kerkez. A Forest defender just managed to pressure the defender into sending high.

Set-piece vulnerability strikes once more

The manager has often lamented his side's weakness to fast breaks and set-plays now. There was further evidence for concern when the visitors took the lead through a blend of the both aspects.

Sean Dyche was surprised after Igor Jesus failed to pass to Domínguez in space on the counter and presented Konaté opportunity to intercept. The following set-piece caused ecstatic moments in the away team's area, however, when Elliot Anderson's cross deflected off Van Dijk to Murillo and the defender hammered an unstoppable strike from close range into the far corner. This evoked echoes of the captain's disallowed finish against City in the Forest's initial score with Dan Ndoye standing in an offside position in front of Anfield's returning shot-stopper Alisson.

VAR calls and debate

Unsurprisingly, the Liverpool captain was prompt to point out the parallels to the official, Andrew Madley. But unlike the full-back at the Etihad Stadium, Dan Ndoye made no obvious action in front of the keeper and the goal stood. The league confirmed: "The referee's call of valid strike was examined and confirmed by VAR – with it judged that he was away from the sightline of Alisson and avoided an move that influenced an opponent."

The home side were let off by the referees and video review a short time later when the striker was convinced he had increased the visitors' advantage.

The defender, who experienced a dreadful day, made an weak try to remove an Sangaré's cross and turned the ball against the forward, who controlled before slotting the bottom corner of Alisson's net. Madley, in contact with his assistant referee, chalked off the attempt for a handball that various footage found it hard to confirm or deny. League officials stated: "The decision of disallowed strike was reviewed and confirmed by the system – with it considered that Jesus accidentally touched the sphere before scoring."

Follow-up goal increases advantage

Any hope from the reprieve. Almost immediately of the kick-off Mac Allister failed to cut out a ball towards Williams inside the home 18-yard box. The full-back turned from his defender and set up Forest's second on a plate for fellow defender the scorer, who picked out the keeper's upper corner with a simple side-foot finish.

Managerial adjustments fail

Arne Slot went for broke, substituting the defender with the forward after 55 minutes and using the French striker with Isak. The tactical shift lasted for only less than a quarter-hour before Alexander Isak was replaced following one more ineffective showing. the winger and the youngster were also added to the Anfield's frontline but carelessness in possession and sturdy opposition backline held the hosts at bay.

Late goal seals the result

Forest demonstrated the finesse and incisiveness that Liverpool were lacking in the attacking phase to put the contest {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively