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Forest's success here in the prior year appeared a one-off in an otherwise commanding Premier League home campaign for the Merseyside club. Their repeat this season, a far more convincing success under Sean Dyche, was a clear sign of the problems afflicting the struggling former winners.

Forest's exemplary display

The team was brilliant as they achieved their largest triumph at Anfield. Scores from the defender, outstanding at either side of the pitch, the full-back and the magnificent Gibbs-White led to a well-earned success for a team that also secured a first clean sheet in twenty division fixtures.

Liverpool's woes

Liverpool, on the other hand, were a mess as they endured an eighth setback in 11 games to fall into the second tier of the league. Poor at dead-ball situations, again, impotent in attack, as before, with Alexander Isak substituted after sixty-eight quiet moments, and poor in defense, they failed in all departments to succumb to a back-to-back heavy defeat.

Early dominance without result

For the opening half-hour the home side held the initiative, the occasional counter from Gibbs-White excepted, but the inability to turn promise into the tangible reward of scores cost them dearly. Alexis Mac Allister was given an initial opportunity from the forward's drive into the penalty area only for Elliot Anderson to produce a excellent goalline clearance with his skull. Mac Allister had a follow-up attempt blocked shortly after while impressive footwork from Mohamed Salah set up another short-distance opportunity for Milos Kerkez. The visiting defender just managed to pressure the full-back into sending high.

Set-play vulnerability strikes again

Arne Slot has often criticized Liverpool's vulnerability to fast breaks and set pieces this season. This provided further evidence for frustration when the visitors took the lead through a combination of the each weakness.

Sean Dyche was aghast after Igor Jesus was unable to find the midfielder in an open area on the counter and gave Konaté the opening to intervene. The ensuing corner kick caused jubilant moments in the away team's area, however, when Elliot Anderson's ball glanced off Van Dijk to the goalscorer and the centre-half fired an unbeatable finish from close range into the opposite side. This evoked echoes of the defender's ruled out strike against Manchester City in the Forest's first goal with the forward located in an offside in front of Anfield's recovered keeper the Brazilian.

Video Assistant Referee rulings and debate

As expected, the Liverpool captain was swift to highlight the parallels to the official, Andrew Madley. In contrast to Robertson at the Etihad Stadium, Dan Ndoye made no obvious action in front of Alisson and the strike stood. Officials stated: "The initial ruling of a score was checked and upheld by the assistant – with it deemed that the player was away from the sightline of the goalkeeper and did not make an interference that influenced an defender."

The Reds were saved by the match officials and video review a short time after when the striker was convinced he had increased Forest's advantage.

The defender, who suffered a poor match, made an weak try to deal with an Sangaré's cross and turned the object against the Forest striker, who brought down before slotting the lower corner of Alisson's posts. Andrew Madley, in contact with his assistant referee, chalked off the attempt for a handball that multiple replays were unable to verify or disprove. League officials said: "The referee's call of no goal was reviewed and upheld by VAR – with it judged that Jesus unintentionally touched the ball before scoring."

Another strike widens lead

Any hope from the let-off. Almost immediately of the kick-off Mac Allister was unable to intercept a delivery towards Neco Williams inside the home 18-yard box. Williams evaded from his opponent and laid Forest's second on a platter for fellow wing-back the scorer, who picked out Alisson's top corner with a calm placed shot.

Managerial adjustments do not work

The manager made changes, replacing the defender with Ekitiké after the 55th minute and using the Les Bleus forward next to Alexander Isak. This change lasted just 13 minutes before the striker was replaced following a further quiet showing. Federico Chiesa and the youngster were additionally added to the Liverpool attack but carelessness in ball control and sturdy Forest defending kept the hosts at arm's length.

Final blow wraps up the victory

Nottingham Forest displayed the precision and cutting edge that the hosts were without in the opposition half to seal the match {beyond doubt|out of reach|conclusively