It wasn't just a loss. It was a reckoning. Liverpool crumbled to a 3-0 defeat at Anfield on Saturday, November 22, 2025, against Nottingham Forest — a result that doesn’t just dent their title hopes, it obliterates them. The reigning champions, who lifted the Premier League trophy just 12 months ago, now sit 12th in the table with 18 points from 12 games, eight behind leaders Arsenal. And this wasn’t a case of bad luck or a late mistake. This was a complete, humiliating unraveling — in front of their own fans, against a team that was in the relegation zone two weeks ago.
The Goals That Shattered a Dynasty
The first goal came at the 33rd minute, when Murillo slotted home after a chaotic scramble. But the controversy started before the ball crossed the line. Dan Ndoye stood motionless, directly in front of Alisson Becker, blocking his view. The Premier League’s VAR team ruled it wasn’t offside because Ndoye “was not in the line of vision.” That same logic was used two weeks ago to disallow Virgil van Dijk’s equalizer against Manchester City. Now, it’s being used to reward Forest. Fans at Anfield didn’t just boo — they groaned in disbelief. "It’s not consistency," said former referee Howard Webb on Sky Sports. "It’s chaos." Thirty-nine seconds after halftime, Nicolo Savona buried a second. Neco Williams danced past Andy Robertson like he was standing still, cut inside, and fired low. Savona didn’t even break stride. The goal came so fast, the stadium hadn’t fully processed the restart. "That’s not football," one Liverpool supporter yelled. "That’s a funeral march." Then, at the 78th minute, Morgan Gibbs-White made it 3-0. Omari Hutchinson slipped past Robertson again — this time with a stepover that looked like a training drill — and laid it off. Gibbs-White, who’d scored in his last two league games, didn’t need a second thought. He fired past Alisson. Routine. For him. Devastating for Liverpool.A Manager in Crisis, a Team in Freefall
Arne Slot now has six Premier League defeats in seven matches. His high-pressing system, once so exhilarating, looks brittle. The backline is disjointed. The midfield lacks control. The attack, once lethal, is reduced to hopeful long balls. ESPN’s match analysts called it "dispirited," "uncoordinated," and "unrecognizable" compared to last season’s champions. The numbers tell the story: 18 points, goal difference of -2, and only six wins in 12 games. This is worse than the 2015-16 season under Jurgen Klopp’s predecessor. It’s the worst start to a title defense in Liverpool’s modern history.Forest’s Miracle Under Dyche
Meanwhile, Sean Dyche is performing magic. The former Burnley manager, known for grit and structure, arrived at Nottingham Forest in October with the club rooted in the relegation zone. After Saturday’s win, they climbed to 12th place with 12 points — their second consecutive victory at Anfield. The first came in April 2025. Now, they’ve done it again. "He’s brought belief," said Rebecca Low on NBC Sports. "They’re not just defending. They’re attacking with purpose." The goals were clinical, but the spirit was the difference. Igor Jesus had a goal disallowed for a handball that many pundits called "soft." Michael Dawson, the former Hull City captain and Soccer Saturday analyst, said: "I am astounded this has been ruled out." But Forest didn’t flinch. They held their shape. They punished every lapse.What This Means for the Premier League
This result didn’t just change Liverpool’s season — it reshaped the entire league narrative. Arsenal (26 points) now look like the clear favorites. Chelsea (23) and Manchester City (22) are close behind. But the gap between the top and the middle has widened dramatically. Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Manchester United are all tied at 18 points — but none of them look like title challengers either. The Premier League is becoming a two-tier competition: the elite, and everyone else. For Nottingham Forest, this win isn’t just about survival. It’s about proving they belong. They’ve now beaten the champions twice in a calendar year. They’ve won at Anfield back-to-back. That’s not luck. That’s evolution.What’s Next?
Liverpool face West Ham United next in the league, then a Champions League clash with Real Madrid. Slot’s players are visibly shaken. The dressing room is tense. Rumors are swirling about potential January departures — possibly even Alisson Becker if confidence continues to erode. For Forest, the next three games are against Leeds United, Wolves, and Everton. If they can pick up six points, they’ll be safely out of the drop zone. Dyche says his focus is "one game at a time." But everyone knows: this isn’t just about staying up anymore. It’s about rewriting what’s possible for a club that hasn’t won a major trophy since 1959.The twist? The same Anfield that once roared for Luis Suárez and Sadio Mané now echoes with silence. The same pitch where Mo Salah once danced past defenders now feels like a stage for someone else’s triumph. And the man who once lifted the trophy? He’s watching from the stands, wondering how it all went so wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Murillo’s goal allowed despite Dan Ndoye being offside?
The Premier League’s VAR team ruled that Ndoye, though positioned directly in front of Alisson Becker, did not interfere with play or obstruct the goalkeeper’s vision. This follows the same controversial interpretation used in Liverpool’s loss to Manchester City two weeks earlier, where Virgil van Dijk’s goal was disallowed for a similar offside position. Critics argue the rule is inconsistently applied, especially when the offside player is directly blocking the keeper’s line of sight.
How does this defeat compare to Liverpool’s previous worst results at Anfield?
This 3-0 loss is Liverpool’s heaviest home defeat in the Premier League since a 4-0 loss to Chelsea in 2014. It’s also their first three-goal home loss to a team outside the top six since 2006, when they fell 3-0 to Sunderland. The emotional weight is heavier than the scoreline — this is the first time since 2015 that Liverpool have been bottom-half of the table after 12 games.
What’s changed under Sean Dyche at Nottingham Forest?
Dyche has instilled discipline, physicality, and a clear defensive structure. Forest have conceded just three goals in their last five games — a dramatic improvement from the 15 they let in during their first seven matches under the previous manager. They’re also scoring more efficiently: 7 goals in their last 3 games, compared to 4 in their first 9. The team now plays with a clear identity — something missing under Steve Cooper.
Is Arne Slot’s job in danger?
Liverpool’s hierarchy has publicly backed Slot, citing his tactical philosophy and long-term vision. But privately, sources say frustration is mounting. A loss to West Ham next week could trigger emergency talks. The club’s board is reportedly evaluating whether to bring in a more experienced manager before January — possibly someone with Premier League title-winning pedigree, like Erik ten Hag or Carlo Ancelotti.
How has this result affected Liverpool’s Champions League chances?
With only 18 points in the Premier League, Liverpool now face an uphill battle just to qualify for next season’s Champions League. A top-four finish seems unlikely unless they win 9 of their remaining 26 games. Their upcoming match against Real Madrid is now a must-win — not just for progression, but to salvage pride. A loss could mean a Europa League exit, adding to the season’s collapse.
Why is this result considered historic for Nottingham Forest?
Forest have only won at Anfield twice in their entire Premier League history — both times in the last 12 months. Before this season, their last victory there was in 1995. Winning twice in a single calendar year against the reigning champions — especially after being in the relegation zone — is unprecedented for a club of their size and budget. It’s the kind of result that defines a manager’s legacy and rewrites a club’s narrative.
