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The away side's success here in the prior year appeared a one-off in an otherwise commanding Premier League home record for the hosts. This recurrence now, a far more convincing triumph under their manager, was a clear sign of the issues afflicting the struggling champions.

The visitors' superb showing

Nottingham Forest proved impressive as they achieved their most significant win at Liverpool's home. Strikes from the Brazilian, excellent at each end of the pitch, Nicolò Savona and the magnificent the playmaker spurred a well-earned victory for a team that also secured a initial shutout in 20 top-flight games.

The home side's difficulties

Liverpool, in comparison, were a mess as they endured an 8th loss in eleven fixtures to fall into the lower half of the league. Poor at set-plays, again, ineffectual in offense, consistently, with Isak substituted after sixty-eight anonymous minutes, and poor in defense, they failed in every area to fall to a second successive 3-0 reverse.

Initial control without payoff

For half an hour Liverpool enjoyed the initiative, the sporadic counter from the Forest attacker excepted, but the inability to convert chances into the tangible reward of goals cost them dearly. Alexis Mac Allister was given an early opening from the forward's run into the area only for Elliot Anderson to produce a excellent goalline clearance with his skull. He had a follow-up attempt stopped moments later while impressive control from Salah created another short-distance opening for the defender. An opposition player just did enough to disturb the defender into sending high.

Set-play frailty hits again

Liverpool's coach has repeatedly lamented Liverpool's susceptibility to counterattacks and dead balls in the current campaign. He was given new reason for complaint when the visitors opened the scoring through a combination of the both aspects.

Dyche was surprised after Jesus was unable to release Nicolás Domínguez in an open area on the break and allowed the defender a chance to intervene. The resulting corner kick sparked ecstatic scenes in the Forest dugout, nevertheless, when Elliot Anderson's cross deflected off Virgil van Dijk to the defender and the defender fired an unstoppable strike from six yards into the far corner. This evoked reminders of the defender's chalked-off strike against the champions in the away team's initial score with the forward located in an offside in front of the home side's fit-again goalkeeper the Brazilian.

VAR decisions and debate

Unsurprisingly, the Liverpool captain was prompt to mention the comparisons to the match official, the ref. However, unlike the full-back at the Manchester, the forward made no clear movement in front of the goalkeeper and the goal remained. The league clarified: "The on-field decision of goal was examined and upheld by VAR – with it judged that the player was away from the sightline of the goalkeeper and avoided an move that affected an player."

The home side were let off by the referees and video review 120 seconds after when Jesus thought he had increased the visitors' advantage.

The defender, who experienced a dreadful match, made an feeble try to remove an Sangaré's cross and deflected the object against the attacker, who handled before finding the net of the goalkeeper's net. The referee, in discussion with his linesman, ruled out the attempt for a illegal use of hand that several replays struggled to verify or deny. League officials stated: "The referee's call of invalid score was assessed and supported by the system – with it judged that Jesus inadvertently touched the ball before netting."

Second goal extends advantage

So much for the let-off. Within seconds of the restart Alexis Mac Allister did not cut out a pass towards the defender inside the Anfield penalty area. The former Liverpool defender turned from his marker and set up their next goal on a silver platter for teammate full back the scorer, who found Alisson's top corner with a composed side-foot finish.

Managerial substitutions prove ineffective

The manager made changes, bringing off Ibrahima Konaté with Ekitiké after the 55th minute and partnering the France forward alongside Isak. The tactical shift continued all of less than a quarter-hour before the striker was withdrawn following one more quiet performance. the winger and Rio Ngumoha were additionally added to the Anfield's frontline but carelessness in play and sturdy visitors' defense prevented the hosts at bay.

Late strike seals the victory

Forest displayed the skill and penetration that the home team were lacking in the attacking phase to decide the game {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively