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The away side's victory here the previous campaign was a blip in an otherwise strong top-flight performances at Anfield for Liverpool. A second successive win in the current campaign, a decisively stronger triumph under their manager, was indicative of the problems afflicting the faltering former winners.

Nottingham Forest's outstanding showing

Forest were exemplary as they achieved their most significant triumph at the famous ground. Goals from the Brazilian, excellent at either side of the playing surface, the full-back and the exceptional Morgan Gibbs-White inspired a merited victory for a Forest side that also kept a maid clean sheet in twenty division fixtures.

Liverpool's difficulties

The hosts, by contrast, were a chaotic as they endured an 8th setback in 11 matches to slide into the bottom half of the standings. Poor at set pieces, again, ineffectual in the final third, again, with the striker substituted after 68 anonymous minutes, and vulnerable at the back, they faltered in all departments to yield to a back-to-back 3-0 reverse.

Early pressure lacking result

For the opening half-hour the Reds held the upper hand, the sporadic break from Morgan Gibbs-White apart, but the shortcoming to turn promise into the actual outcome of goals proved costly. Alexis Mac Allister was given an early-on opportunity from the forward's run into the penalty area only for Anderson to deliver a excellent line save with his skull. Mac Allister had a another effort deflected shortly after while impressive footwork from Salah set up another short-distance chance for Milos Kerkez. An opposition player just managed to disturb the back into blazing over.

Dead-ball weakness strikes repeatedly

Liverpool's coach has often bemoaned the team's susceptibility to transitions and dead balls this season. He was given further evidence for concern when Forest took the lead through a combination of the two.

The Forest manager was shocked after Jesus was unable to release the midfielder in room on the fast attack and presented Konaté opportunity to clear. The resulting corner sparked jubilant scenes in the visitors' bench, though, when Elliot Anderson's delivery deflected off Van Dijk to the goalscorer and the central defender hammered an unbeatable finish from inside the box into the back of the net. This evoked similarities of the defender's ruled out strike against the champions in the away team's initial score with Dan Ndoye located in an offside position in front of Anfield's recovered shot-stopper the Brazilian.

Video Assistant Referee calls and debate

Unsurprisingly, the the skipper was quick to highlight the similarities to the official, Andrew Madley. In contrast to Andy Robertson at the City's ground, the forward made no clear movement in front of the goalkeeper and the score stood. The league clarified: "The initial ruling of goal was reviewed and verified by VAR – with it judged that he was away from the line of vision of Alisson and avoided an interference that influenced an player."

The Reds were let off by the referees and the system 120 seconds later when the striker believed he had increased Forest's lead.

Konaté, who experienced a terrible afternoon, made an feeble attempt to clear an Sangaré's delivery and turned the sphere against the Forest striker, who handled before placing the net of the goalkeeper's goal. Madley, in discussion with his linesman, ruled out the effort for a illegal use of hand that multiple reviews found it hard to confirm or deny. The Premier League said: "The referee's call of disallowed strike was assessed and upheld by VAR – with it judged that Jesus inadvertently handled the sphere before finishing."

Another score extends advantage

That was the end of the let-off. Moments of the resumption Mac Allister did not cut out a ball towards Williams inside the home penalty area. The full-back turned from his marker and presented their next goal on a plate for fellow wing-back Savona, who located Alisson's upper corner with a simple accurate strike.

Tactical adjustments do not work

The manager took risks, bringing off Konaté with Hugo Ekitiké after 55 minutes and using the France forward next to Alexander Isak. The tactical shift lasted just less than a quarter-hour before the striker was withdrawn following one more quiet display. Federico Chiesa and the youngster were also introduced to the hosts' offense but sloppiness in play and resolute visitors' defense held the Reds at arm's length.

Concluding goal seals the outcome

The visitors displayed the skill and incisiveness that the hosts were lacking in the attacking phase to decide the game {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively