Liverpool suffered a 0-3 upset

Anfield witnessed one of the darkest nights in Liverpool's history. In the 12th round of the Premier League, the defending champions suffered a 0-3 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest. Not only did they watch their opponents gain their first away win in the Premier League this season, but they also set a series of staggering and humiliating records. The former glory of the iron-blooded Red Army disappeared in the cliff-like decline of 6 losses in 7 games.

The progress of the game can be called a disaster scene for Liverpool. In the first half, Murillo took a corner kick and scored with a volley to break the deadlock for Nottingham Forest. Just 39 seconds into the second half, Savona's goal gave the Reds a fatal blow, and then Gibbs White's supplementary shot completely sealed the victory. Throughout the game, Liverpool had the advantage in possession of the ball but could not break through the dense defense of their opponents. The chaos and fragility on both ends of the offense and defense were fully exposed. In the end, they suffered a tragic defeat in the silence of the home fans.

Behind this defeat is a dazzling list of records. This is the first time since April 1965 that Liverpool has suffered the humiliation of losing two consecutive games in the league by three goals. In the last round, they lost 0-3 to Manchester City in an away game. At the same time, this is also the Red Army's tie for the largest home loss in the Premier League. Previously, only a few tragedies such as Chelsea's 1-4 in the 2005-06 season and West Ham United's 0-3 in the 2015-16 season could tie it. What's even more embarrassing is that for the first time since February 2023, they have been shut out in consecutive games.

From leading the standings with five consecutive wins at the beginning of the season to now ranking 11th with 6 wins and 6 losses in 12 rounds and falling into the second half, Liverpool's decline has been terrifying. As the fourth defending champion in the history of the Premier League to lose six or more games in the first 12 rounds of a season, they are repeating the mistakes of Blackburn, Chelsea, Leicester City and other teams, and are trapped in the "defending curse" from which they cannot extricate themselves. The decline of losing 6 games in the past 7 league rounds has put the team's Champions League qualification in jeopardy.

After the game, captain Van Dijk’s interview was full of helplessness and struggle. "The loss to Nottingham Forest at home was very bad. The goal was conceded too easily in the second half." The core defender admitted that the whole team needs to bear responsibility. "We are in an extremely difficult stage. The rebound will not happen overnight. It must rely on everyone's joint efforts." Coach Slaughter took the initiative to take responsibility and admitted that his tactical adjustments failed to work. However, two consecutive defeats with the same score have put his position in jeopardy. The British media even broke the news that Liverpool's top management was considering a coaching change and there were rumors that Klopp would return.

Liverpool's collapse was no accident. The £500 million signing failed to make up for the lack of midfield hardness, and the high-position ball control tactics were ineffective without the support of key players; the set-piece defense was full of loopholes, and the ball was conceded due to similar mistakes in two consecutive games; new aid Isaac set an embarrassing record, becoming the first player in team history to lose his first four Premier League starts. Nottingham Forest used precise tactical arrangements to complete the counterattack. Through a combination of solid defense and quick counterattacks, it not only ended its losing streak in away games, but also gained its first clean sheet in the Premier League this season.

Next, Liverpool will face the test of the devil's schedule. The Champions League matches and the intensive Premier League schedule will follow one after another. For the mired Red Army, if they cannot solve the defensive loopholes and adjust their tactics as soon as possible, the former favorites may really have to fight for relegation. Is this 0-3 defeat the bottom of humiliation or a continuation of the collapse?