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Forest's victory at Anfield in the prior year seemed an anomaly in an otherwise dominant English top division home record for Liverpool. Their repeat in the current campaign, a far more convincing victory under the Forest boss, was a clear sign of the issues afflicting the declining champions.

The visitors' exemplary display

The team was impressive as they recorded their largest victory at Liverpool's home. Goals from Murillo, excellent at either side of the pitch, Savona and the magnificent the playmaker spurred a well-earned win for a Forest side that also maintained a first clean sheet in twenty division matches.

Anfield's woes

Liverpool, on the other hand, were a mess as they endured an 8th defeat in 11 games to slide into the second tier of the table. Weak at set pieces, once more, unproductive in attack, consistently, with Alexander Isak withdrawn after sixty-eight anonymous period, and poor in defense, they failed in each phase to succumb to a back-to-back heavy loss.

Initial pressure lacking reward

For 30 minutes Liverpool maintained the advantage, the sporadic counter from Gibbs-White aside, but the shortcoming to capitalize on opportunities into the tangible reward of goals hurt them significantly. Mac Allister was given an early-on chance from the forward's surge into the box only for Anderson to execute a excellent goalline clearance with his forehead. The Liverpool midfielder had a second shot deflected soon after while impressive skill from Salah produced another short-distance opening for the defender. An opposition player just did enough to disturb the back into blazing over.

Set-play weakness afflicts again

Arne Slot has repeatedly bemoaned his side's vulnerability to counterattacks and set-plays in the current campaign. There was further evidence for concern when Nottingham Forest took the lead through a mix of the each weakness.

Sean Dyche was shocked after Igor Jesus was unable to find the midfielder in room on the counter and gave Ibrahima Konaté the opening to intercept. The following set-piece triggered ecstatic scenes in the away team's area, nevertheless, when Elliot Anderson's cross deflected off the captain to the goalscorer and the central defender hammered an irresistible strike from six yards into the far corner. This evoked reminders of Van Dijk's ruled out goal against City in the visitors' opener with Dan Ndoye standing in an illegal position in front of the home side's recovered shot-stopper Alisson.

Video Assistant Referee decisions and debate

As expected, the the skipper was quick to mention the similarities to the referee, Andrew Madley. But unlike the full-back at the Etihad Stadium, Dan Ndoye made no apparent gesture in front of Alisson and the score remained. The Premier League confirmed: "The initial ruling of a score was examined and verified by VAR – with it considered that he was outside of the view of the keeper and made no an action that influenced an defender."

Liverpool were reprieved by the match officials and VAR 120 seconds following when the striker was convinced he had added to Nottingham Forest's advantage.

Konaté, who endured a terrible afternoon, made an weak effort to deal with an Ibrahim Sangaré's delivery and turned the object against the attacker, who handled before placing the net of the goalkeeper's posts. Andrew Madley, in contact with his assistant referee, chalked off the strike for a illegal use of hand that various reviews struggled to prove or refute. The Premier League announced: "The ruling of disallowed strike was checked and upheld by VAR – with it considered that the player accidentally controlled the object before netting."

Follow-up score widens cushion

Any hope from the respite. Moments of the kick-off the midfielder did not cut out a delivery towards the defender inside the home box. The former Liverpool defender turned from his marker and presented the visitors' second on a platter for teammate full back Savona, who located the keeper's upper corner with a composed accurate strike.

Strategic adjustments do not work

Liverpool's coach made changes, substituting Ibrahima Konaté with Hugo Ekitiké after the 55th minute and partnering the French striker alongside Alexander Isak. The tactical shift continued all of a short period before Alexander Isak was substituted following one more anonymous performance. Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha were also thrown into the Liverpool attack but carelessness in ball control and sturdy visitors' defense held the hosts at bay.

Final goal seals the outcome

The visitors demonstrated the finesse and penetration that the hosts were lacking in the attacking phase to seal the match {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively