Liverpool collapsed to a humiliating home defeat to Nottingham Forest this afternoon
Liverpool’s season tipped into full-blown crisis after suffering their sixth defeat in seven Premier League games this afternoon.
Goals from Murillo, Nicolo Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White gave Nottingham Forest a deserved three points and lifted them out of the relegation zone at the expense of Leeds.
But that leaves Arne Slot with major decisions to make with his extensive summer recruiting program seemingly disrupting what was a well-oiled machine last season.
Alexander Isak, their most expensive signing, once again looked far from his fitness and confidence and is yet to score in five Premier League starts.
Stunning Forest Stunning Anfield
Liverpool’s problems should not detract from what was a very impressive display from Forest, however.
They had to endure periods of pressure from the hosts but were always threatening on the break.
There appeared to be no sign of what was to come as Liverpool got off to a flying start and they could have taken the lead after nine minutes when Cody Gakpo made his way down the left side of the penalty area and set up Alexis Mac Allister only for his shot to be superbly blocked on the line by Elliot Anderson.
Milos Kerkez was next to try his luck with Dan Ndoye’s under-pressure strike flying over the bar.
Gakpo and replacement right-back Dominik Szoboszlai made efforts, the latter blocked by Murillo, as Liverpool remained in the lead.
Despite their domination, Liverpool conceded in their first moment of worry.
Anderson’s corner eluded Virgil van Dijk at the near post and Murillo swept the ball past Alisson.
The score was almost 2-0 three minutes later when Igor Jesus shot expertly into the bottom corner, but the goal was scored for an apparent handball, much to the disgust of Sean Dyche.
Mac Allister, the recent winner in the match against Real Madrid, almost equalized for the home side before the break, but his header was well saved by Matz Sels.
Savona goal puts Forest in dreamland
Slot would probably have had harsh words with his players at half-time, but his team talk disappeared within 60 seconds when former Liverpool full-back Neco Williams crossed for Savona to shoot high into the net.
Liverpool’s response was unconvincing, a lot of huffing and puffing with very little end product.
Isak was sent off after 69 minutes with the entry of Federico Chiesa, but that did not change the shape of the match. And it was largely unexpected when Forest grabbed a third through Gibbs-White 12 minutes from time.
Alisson saved well from substitute Omari Hutchinson, but England midfielder Gibbs-White followed to power the ball home.
