It wasn't supposed to end like this. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Anfield Stadium fell silent—not from exhaustion, but disbelief. Nottingham Forest walked out of Liverpool’s fortress with a 3-0 win, their first league victory at Anfield since 1999, and the latest dagger in the chest of a once-dominant Liverpool Football Club. The result wasn’t just a loss. It was a collapse. For the sixth time in seven Premier League games, Arne Slot’s side crumbled, dropping to seventh in the table and out of the top four for the first time since early last season. The reigning champions? Now chasing survival in the bottom half.
How It Unfolded: Chaos, Controversy, and a Perfect Storm
The match began with a familiar script: Liverpool pressing, Forest defending deep. But within 12 minutes, everything flipped. Murillo headed home from a corner, sparking outrage. Replays showed Dan Ndoye standing directly in front of Alisson Becker, blocking his view. The Premier League’s official match center insisted Ndoye wasn’t in Alisson’s "line of vision," but former defender Michael Dawson on Sky Sports called it "astounding."
Then came the twist: Forest’s Igor Jesus smashed a volley into the net, only for referee Andy Madley to disallow it for a handball—a decision VAR upheld. Forest fans roared. Liverpool fans held their breath. The momentum had shifted. And it never came back.
Just 39 seconds after halftime, Nicolo Savona received a pass from Neco Williams, who danced past two half-hearted challenges like they were statues. Savona’s strike—low, hard, into the bottom right—was clinical. The goal wasn’t just a goal. It was a statement.
By the 78th minute, Morgan Gibbs-White was left unmarked, fed by Omari Hutchinson, who ghosted past Andy Robertson as if he was training alone. Gibbs-White curled it past Alisson. The final whistle blew. 3-0. Anfield didn’t boo. It just… waited.
Sean Dyche’s Miracle, Arne Slot’s Meltdown
For Sean Dyche, it was redemption. Hired in October after a turbulent start to the season, his return to Forest—where he once managed from 2012 to 2015—has been nothing short of transformative. Two wins in a row, including this historic Anfield upset, have lifted Forest out of the relegation zone. "It was a performance full of grit, belief, and precision," Dyche said afterward. "We didn’t just defend. We attacked with purpose. That’s who we are now."
For Slot, the pressure is suffocating. His Liverpool—once the most feared attacking side in Europe—now struggle to create clear chances. Mohamed Salah was isolated, shut down by Nikola Milenković, who didn’t just defend—he dominated. The midfield, once a symphony, now looks disjointed. The defense? Fragile. Against Forest, they missed 14 clearances. Seven tackles were lost in the final third. Two players were caught out of position on all three goals.
Former Manchester United star Gary Neville summed it up on Sunday’s broadcast: "I’m stunned. This isn’t bad luck. This is a system failure. You don’t lose 6 of 7 games at home to teams like Forest unless something’s broken."
From Summit to Slump: The Fall of a Giant
Just 12 months ago, Liverpool were atop the Premier League. They’d won 25 consecutive league games at Anfield against Forest. They were the model of consistency. Now? They’ve lost more games in 12 matches this season than they did in the entire 2024-2025 campaign.
The numbers don’t lie. In 2024-2025, Liverpool scored 94 goals at home. This season? 28. They’ve conceded 17 goals in their last five home games—more than in their entire 2024-2025 home campaign. Their xG (expected goals) has dropped by 38% since last season. Their defensive errors have increased by 62%, according to Opta data.
And it’s not just about goals. It’s about identity. Liverpool used to overwhelm. Now they wait—for something to happen. For Salah to do magic. For a set piece to save them. It’s not working anymore.
What’s Next? The Clock Is Ticking
Liverpool face Manchester City in the Champions League next week. Then a home game against Arsenal. Then a trip to Tottenham. Three games that could either salvage their season—or bury it. Slot has said he’s "not worried about criticism," but the players look rattled. The fans? They’re starting to chant for changes.
Meanwhile, Forest’s rise is no fluke. Dyche has instilled discipline. Savona has scored in three straight games. Gibbs-White is playing with confidence. Even their goalkeeper, Matz Sels, has kept two clean sheets in a row. They’re no longer the team you pity. They’re the team you fear.
What happened at Anfield wasn’t just a defeat. It was a reckoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Murillo’s goal allowed despite Dan Ndoye being in front of Alisson?
The Premier League’s VAR protocol states that an offside attacker must be in the goalkeeper’s "line of vision" to be penalized. Officials ruled Ndoye wasn’t obstructing Alisson’s view, even though replays showed him standing directly in front. This has sparked debate among former referees, with Michael Dawson calling it "unacceptable," while others argue the rule’s subjectivity makes it inherently inconsistent.
How has Arne Slot’s management been criticized since taking over?
Slot’s tactics have been labeled too rigid, with excessive focus on possession over pressing. Liverpool’s midfield has lost its dynamism, and their high line is being exploited by quick forwards. Former players like Jamie Carragher have questioned his ability to adapt in high-pressure games. The team’s xG has dropped significantly, and their defensive errors have spiked—signs of tactical misalignment.
What does this loss mean for Liverpool’s title defense?
With six losses in seven games and only 18 points from 12 matches, Liverpool are now 14 points behind leaders Arsenal. Even if they win all remaining games, they’d need other top teams to collapse dramatically. Their goal difference is negative for the first time since 2017. The title defense is effectively over—now it’s about avoiding their worst league finish in 20 years.
Is Nottingham Forest’s rise sustainable?
Yes—so far. Under Sean Dyche, Forest have gone from 19th to 15th in just four games, with a defense that’s conceded only two goals in their last three matches. Savona, Gibbs-White, and Hutchinson are in form, and their physicality has disrupted top teams. But they face tougher fixtures ahead, including Manchester United and Chelsea. If they can maintain discipline and avoid injuries, a top-half finish is realistic.
What’s the historical significance of this result?
This was Nottingham Forest’s first league win at Anfield since 1999. Before last season, Liverpool had gone 25 consecutive home league games unbeaten against Forest. The 1-0 loss in April 2025 was already a shock. This 3-0 thrashing is historic—a symbolic passing of the torch. For Forest, it’s their biggest win in over a decade. For Liverpool, it’s their worst home defeat since 2016.
How did the fans react after the final whistle?
There was no chorus of boos. Just silence. Many fans stood, stunned, staring at the pitch. Some left early. Others stayed to applaud Forest’s players—a rare gesture of respect after such a humbling defeat. Social media exploded with #ArneSlotOut trending in the UK, while Liverpool fan forums debated whether the club should trigger his exit clause, which allows termination after six losses in seven games.
