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The away side's win here last season appeared a one-off in an typically strong Premier League home record for the hosts. Their repeat now, a far more convincing triumph under the Forest boss, was symptomatic of the issues engulfing the faltering title holders.

The visitors' exemplary showing

Forest were brilliant as they secured their most significant victory at Liverpool's home. Goals from the defender, excellent at both ends of the field, Nicolò Savona and the superb Morgan Gibbs-White inspired a well-earned success for a squad that also maintained a initial shutout in 20 Premier League matches.

The home side's struggles

The Reds, in comparison, were a disorganized as they suffered an eighth setback in 11 fixtures to drop into the bottom half of the league. Ineffective at dead-ball situations, again, ineffectual in offense, again, with Isak substituted after 68 anonymous moments, and poor in defense, they faltered in all departments to yield to a consecutive 3-0 reverse.

Initial pressure lacking payoff

For the opening half-hour the Reds enjoyed the advantage, the infrequent attack from the Forest attacker apart, but the shortcoming to turn promise into the hard currency of scores proved costly. the midfielder was given an initial opening from Cody Gakpo's run into the area only for Elliot Anderson to produce a excellent desperate block with his skull. Mac Allister had a second shot deflected soon after while skilful control from Mohamed Salah produced another close-range opening for the defender. An opposition player just succeeded to pressure the defender into blazing over.

Set-piece frailty strikes again

Liverpool's coach has repeatedly bemoaned Liverpool's weakness to transitions and dead balls in the current campaign. He was given further evidence for concern when Forest scored first through a blend of the each weakness.

Sean Dyche was aghast after Jesus did not find Domínguez in an open area on the counter and allowed Konaté the opening to intercept. The following set-piece triggered celebratory moments in the away team's area, nevertheless, when Anderson's ball deflected off Virgil van Dijk to the defender and the central defender hammered an unbeatable strike from inside the box into the opposite side. This evoked reminders of the defender's ruled out strike against Manchester City in the visitors' first goal with Ndoye standing in an offside in front of Anfield's returning goalkeeper Alisson.

Video Assistant Referee calls and controversy

Unsurprisingly, the the skipper was prompt to highlight the comparisons to the official, Andrew Madley. However, unlike Robertson at the Etihad Stadium, the forward made no apparent action in front of the goalkeeper and the score remained. Officials confirmed: "The referee's call of goal was checked and upheld by VAR – with it judged that the player was away from the view of Alisson and avoided an action that influenced an defender."

The home side were reprieved by the match officials and video review two minutes after when the striker believed he had increased Forest's cushion.

Ibrahima Konaté, who endured a poor afternoon, made an feeble effort to clear an Ibrahim Sangaré's delivery and directed the sphere against the Forest striker, who brought down before placing the lower corner of the goalkeeper's posts. Andrew Madley, in communication with his assistant, chalked off the attempt for a handling that several reviews struggled to prove or deny. The Premier League stated: "The ruling of no goal was checked and upheld by the system – with it judged that Jesus unintentionally handled the sphere before finishing."

Second strike widens advantage

That was the end of the respite. Within seconds of the kick-off Alexis Mac Allister was unable to stop a ball towards the defender inside the Anfield 18-yard box. The full-back turned from his defender and laid Forest's second on a plate for fellow full back Savona, who picked out the goalkeeper's roof of the net with a simple side-foot finish.

Strategic changes fail

Arne Slot made changes, replacing the defender with Ekitiké after 55 minutes and using the French forward alongside Isak. This change persisted for only a short period before the striker was replaced following another anonymous performance. the winger and Ngumoha were further introduced to the hosts' offense but sloppiness in ball control and solid visitors' defense prevented the hosts at distance.

Concluding goal confirms the outcome

The visitors showed the finesse and cutting edge that Liverpool were lacking in the final third to decide the game {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively