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Forest's success here last season appeared a one-off in an usually strong top-flight home record for the hosts. This recurrence in the current campaign, a decisively stronger success under the Forest boss, was a clear sign of the problems afflicting the struggling champions.

Forest's exemplary performance

Nottingham Forest proved exemplary as they achieved their biggest triumph at the famous ground. Strikes from Murillo, superb at each end of the field, Nicolò Savona and the exceptional Gibbs-White led to a deserved success for a squad that also maintained a initial shutout in twenty Premier League games.

Liverpool's woes

The Reds, by contrast, were a disorganized as they suffered an 8th defeat in 11 fixtures to fall into the bottom half of the league. Poor at dead-ball situations, once more, unproductive in offense, as before, with Isak substituted after sixty-eight uninfluential minutes, and poor in defense, they struggled in every area to succumb to a second successive three-nil loss.

Opening control without result

For half an hour the Reds maintained the upper hand, the sporadic attack from Morgan Gibbs-White aside, but the shortcoming to convert chances into the hard currency of goals cost them dearly. Alexis Mac Allister was offered an early opening from the forward's surge into the box only for Anderson to execute a superb desperate block with his head. He had a follow-up attempt deflected soon after while impressive skill from the winger set up another near-post opening for Milos Kerkez. The visiting defender just did enough to put off the back into sending high.

Set-piece weakness hits once more

The manager has repeatedly criticized the team's vulnerability to counterattacks and set pieces this season. He was given fresh cause for frustration when Nottingham Forest opened the scoring through a combination of the each weakness.

Sean Dyche was surprised after Jesus did not release the midfielder in space on the fast attack and gave Konaté the opening to clear. The ensuing corner sparked jubilant moments in the visitors' bench, though, when the midfielder's ball touched the captain to the goalscorer and the central defender fired an unbeatable finish from six yards into the back of the net. This evoked reminders of Van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City in the away team's opener with Ndoye located in an offside in front of Liverpool's fit-again shot-stopper the Brazilian.

VAR rulings and controversy

Unsurprisingly, the Liverpool captain was quick to highlight the comparisons to the referee, the ref. But unlike Robertson at the Etihad Stadium, Ndoye made no obvious action in front of the goalkeeper and the score was given. The Premier League clarified: "The on-field decision of goal was checked and verified by the video system – with it deemed that Ndoye was away from the view of Alisson and avoided an action that impacted an opponent."

The Reds were let off by the match officials and VAR two minutes later when the striker was convinced he had increased Forest's advantage.

Konaté, who experienced a dreadful afternoon, made an weak attempt to clear an Sangaré's ball and directed the sphere against the forward, who controlled before placing the net of Alisson's net. The referee, in communication with his assistant, ruled out the effort for a handling that various footage struggled to prove or refute. League officials stated: "The decision of no goal was reviewed and supported by the system – with it considered that Jesus inadvertently controlled the ball before finishing."

Second score widens lead

So much for the let-off. Moments of the kick-off Mac Allister was unable to stop a pass towards Williams inside the Liverpool box. Williams evaded from his marker and presented their next goal on a plate for partner full back Savona, who picked out Alisson's top corner with a calm placed shot.

Managerial changes prove ineffective

Liverpool's coach went for broke, replacing Ibrahima Konaté with Hugo Ekitiké after just before the hour and pairing the Les Bleus attacker next to Isak. This change lasted just less than a quarter-hour before the striker was replaced following a further ineffective performance. Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha were also thrown into the Anfield's frontline but sloppiness in play and resolute opposition backline prevented the Reds at arm's length.

Final goal confirms the outcome

The visitors demonstrated the skill and cutting edge that Liverpool were lacking in the opposition half to decide the game {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively