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Nottingham Forest's victory at Anfield last season appeared a one-off in an typically commanding top-flight home record for the hosts. A second successive win this season, a decisively stronger victory under the Forest boss, was a clear sign of the issues plaguing the struggling champions.

The visitors' outstanding showing

Nottingham Forest proved brilliant as they achieved their most significant victory at Anfield. Goals from the defender, outstanding at either side of the playing surface, Savona and the exceptional the playmaker spurred a well-earned victory for a team that also kept a maid clean sheet in 20 Premier League matches.

Liverpool's struggles

The hosts, in comparison, were a disorganized as they endured an eighth setback in eleven matches to fall into the bottom half of the league. Poor at set pieces, once more, unproductive in attack, as before, with Alexander Isak replaced after 68 anonymous period, and poor in defense, they struggled in every area to yield to a consecutive 3-0 defeat.

Opening dominance missing result

For the opening half-hour the home side enjoyed the upper hand, the occasional attack from the Forest attacker excepted, but the failure to capitalize on opportunities into the hard currency of goals proved costly. the midfielder was offered an early opening from Cody Gakpo's run into the penalty area only for Anderson to deliver a excellent goalline clearance with his head. He had a follow-up attempt blocked soon after while dazzling control from the winger produced another near-post opportunity for the defender. An opposition player just succeeded to pressure the back into sending high.

Set-piece frailty strikes again

Arne Slot has repeatedly lamented Liverpool's vulnerability to transitions and dead balls this season. This provided further evidence for frustration when Forest took the lead through a mix of the both aspects.

Sean Dyche was surprised after Igor Jesus was unable to pass to the midfielder in room on the fast attack and presented Konaté a chance to intercept. The resulting corner kick triggered celebratory scenes in the Forest dugout, nevertheless, when the midfielder's ball touched the captain to Murillo and the central defender drilled an unbeatable strike from close range into the far corner. This evoked reminders of the captain's disallowed strike against the champions in the Forest's first goal with Ndoye located in an illegal position in front of the home side's recovered shot-stopper the goalie.

VAR decisions and debate

As expected, the Van Dijk was prompt to mention the comparisons to the official, the ref. But unlike Andy Robertson at the Etihad Stadium, the forward made no clear movement in front of Alisson and the strike stood. The Premier League clarified: "The on-field decision of a score was checked and upheld by VAR – with it deemed that Ndoye was not in the line of vision of the goalkeeper and avoided an interference that affected an opponent."

Liverpool were saved by the match officials and VAR 120 seconds later when Jesus was convinced he had added to Nottingham Forest's lead.

The defender, who endured a dreadful day, made an weak attempt to remove an the midfielder's ball and deflected the ball against the attacker, who controlled before finding the net of the goalkeeper's posts. Madley, in contact with his assistant referee, disallowed the effort for a illegal use of hand that various footage were unable to prove or deny. The authority said: "The ruling of disallowed strike was reviewed and supported by the system – with it deemed that Jesus accidentally touched the ball before finishing."

Another goal widens cushion

Any hope from the respite. Within seconds of the restart Alexis Mac Allister was unable to stop a ball towards Williams inside the Liverpool box. The full-back evaded from his opponent and laid their next goal on a platter for partner wing-back the scorer, who picked out the goalkeeper's upper corner with a composed side-foot finish.

Tactical changes prove ineffective

The manager made changes, substituting Konaté with Ekitiké after 55 minutes and partnering the France forward next to Isak. This change continued for only less than a quarter-hour before Alexander Isak was substituted following a further quiet display. the winger and Ngumoha were also thrown into the Anfield's frontline but sloppiness in play and solid Forest defending prevented the home side at bay.

Concluding strike seals the outcome

The visitors displayed the skill and cutting edge that the hosts were missing in the attacking phase to decide the game {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively