The Reds in crisis as Forest storm their fortress again with three-nil triumph
The away side's win here last season was a blip in an typically commanding top-flight home record for the hosts. This recurrence now, a far more convincing triumph under the Forest boss, was indicative of the issues afflicting the faltering former winners.
Nottingham Forest's outstanding performance
The team was impressive as they secured their biggest victory at Anfield. Goals from the defender, outstanding at both ends of the pitch, Savona and the magnificent Gibbs-White led to a merited win for a team that also maintained a maid clean sheet in 20 top-flight matches.
Liverpool's difficulties
The Reds, on the other hand, were a mess as they endured an 8th setback in eleven matches to slide into the second tier of the league. Ineffective at set-plays, once more, unproductive in attack, consistently, with the striker replaced after sixty-eight uninfluential moments, and vulnerable at the back, they failed in every area to succumb to a consecutive three-nil reverse.
Early pressure lacking reward
For half an hour the Reds enjoyed the upper hand, the infrequent break from Gibbs-White aside, but the inability to capitalize on opportunities into the hard currency of goals cost them dearly. the midfielder was given an initial chance from Gakpo's drive into the area only for Elliot Anderson to execute a excellent desperate block with his forehead. The Liverpool midfielder had a second shot stopped shortly after while dazzling footwork from Salah created another near-post chance for Kerkez. A Forest defender just did enough to disturb the defender into blazing over.
Set-piece weakness afflicts once more
Liverpool's coach has frequently lamented his side's weakness to fast breaks and set-plays in the current campaign. This provided further evidence for frustration when Forest opened the scoring through a mix of the each weakness.
Dyche was surprised after the forward failed to find Nicolás Domínguez in room on the counter and presented Konaté opportunity to intercept. The following corner kick triggered celebratory reactions in the away team's area, though, when the midfielder's delivery touched Virgil van Dijk to Murillo and the central defender drilled an irresistible shot from close range into the far corner. There were echoes of the defender's disallowed finish against City in the away team's first goal with the forward standing in an illegal position in front of the home side's recovered goalkeeper the Brazilian.
VAR calls and controversy
Predictably, the Van Dijk was swift to mention the comparisons to the referee, the ref. In contrast to the full-back at the Manchester, the forward made no clear movement in front of the goalkeeper and the score remained. The league clarified: "The referee's call of a score was reviewed and confirmed by the assistant – with it deemed that he was not in the view of the goalkeeper and did not make an action that influenced an opponent."
The home side were reprieved by the match officials and VAR a short time later when Igor Jesus was convinced he had increased Forest's cushion.
Ibrahima Konaté, who experienced a poor afternoon, made an unconvincing attempt to clear an Sangaré's cross and deflected the sphere against the forward, who brought down before placing the bottom corner of the keeper's posts. Madley, in communication with his assistant referee, chalked off the attempt for a illegal use of hand that several replays were unable to prove or disprove. League officials stated: "The referee's call of disallowed strike was checked and supported by the system – with it considered that the player inadvertently controlled the object before scoring."
Another strike increases lead
So much for the respite. Almost immediately of the resumption Mac Allister was unable to cut out a ball towards Neco Williams inside the Liverpool 18-yard box. The full-back evaded from his opponent and set up the visitors' second on a plate for fellow defender Savona, who located Alisson's top corner with a composed placed shot.
Strategic changes prove ineffective
Arne Slot went for broke, bringing off the defender with the forward after the 55th minute and using the Les Bleus striker next to Isak. That experiment lasted just 13 minutes before the striker was replaced following another ineffective showing. Federico Chiesa and the youngster were further introduced to the hosts' offense but sloppiness in play and solid Forest defending kept the home side at distance.
Concluding goal wraps up the result
Forest showed the finesse and cutting edge that Liverpool were missing in the opposition half to seal the match {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively