Liverpool hit new low as Arne Slot takes responsibility for heavy Forest defeat

It equals Liverpool's worst home Premier League margin of defeat and deepening the club's ongoing slump under Slot.

Goals from Murillo, Nicolo Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White gave Forest their biggest-ever win at Anfield and condemned Liverpool to an eighth defeat in 11 games in all competitions. It is their heaviest home defeat since a 4-1 loss to Manchester City in 2021. Only Chelsea and West Ham have previously won by three goals at Anfield in the Premier League era.

The result leaves Liverpool 11th in the table and at risk of falling behind Everton should their rivals win at Manchester United on Monday.

Slot accepted full accountability for the team's poor form, dismissing officiating controversies and insisting that the responsibility lies with him. "Playing at home and losing 3-0, no matter who you face, is a very bad result," he said. "I want to emphasise I am responsible for the current losses. You are responsible when you are winning but also when you are losing. I can never come up with enough excuses for us to have the results we have."

Liverpool started confidently and created several early chances before Forest scored with their first meaningful attack. Murillo's opener came amid complaints from Liverpool that Dan Ndoye had obstructed Alisson's line of sight, similar to an incident involving Virgil van Dijk at Manchester City two weeks earlier. Slot refused to focus on the referee's decision. "No one wants to hear me talk about refereeing decisions if you lose 3-0 at home," he said.

After falling behind, Liverpool's performance deteriorated, particularly following a series of attacking substitutions made as Slot attempted to chase the game. "Last year away at Forest I made a similar change and we scored immediately," he said. "Then it was brave; now it's probably stupid."

Slot said Liverpool must convert more of their chances and stop conceding so easily if they are to recover. "Lately, almost constantly, we miss our chances and every one we concede goes in," he said. "We need to have that moment of energy, scoring a goal. In a normal situation the result would have been different, but we are in a difficult period and need to do even more."

Forest manager Sean Dyche praised his side's performance and said the victory should serve as a platform for continued improvement. Since replacing Ange Postecoglou, Dyche has taken 11 points from six matches. "Everything is not solved, but it is a strong marker," he said. "The hard yards, the ugly side of the game, staying focused on the job - I thought that was excellent. We mixed it tactically and the players deserve credit."

Forest have now won on their last two visits to Anfield, with Dyche calling the latest result "something to enjoy" but stressing the importance of maintaining momentum.

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