The weeks go by, but the observation remains the same: Liverpool can no longer do it. Before the international break, the Reds remained with a poor performance on the pitch at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City (3-0). Dominated in all areas of the game, Arne Slot’s players seemed to have hit rock bottom, even though they had beaten Real Madrid a few days earlier in the Champions League. The international break then came at just the right time for a team that was losing momentum. But despite this ten-day break, it was not enough to cure the headaches of the reigning English champions.
This Saturday, the residents of Anfield hosted Nottingham Forest as part of the 12th day of the Premier League. A team also in difficulty at the start of the season (penultimate before kick-off), but which was able to stand up to Mohamed Salah’s teammates last season, twice (0-1 at Anfield, 1-1 at Nottingham). A feat that the team, now coached by Sean Dyche, was able to repeat (0-3), well helped by Reds apathetic and lost. Like the defense, still trapped on a set piece, on Murillo’s opener (33rd). The Liverpool rearguard was also not very quick on Savona’s second goal (46th), upon returning from the locker room, with Mac Allister too tender in front of Neco Williams.
The end of title dreams this weekend?
Offensively, Alexander Isak alone symbolized the insufficient impact of Liverpool’s attackers (15 balls hit, one shot off target, no duels won out of 7). The Swedish international, recruited at a high price this summer, is still chasing his first PL goal with his new team and gave way in the 68th minute to Federico Chiesa. Despite clear possession (74%), Liverpool bit their fingers in the face of the solidity of Forest (21 shots attempted, 4 on target) even before falling asleep in the second act and conceding the coup de grace by Gibbs-White (80th). An achievement which sealed the sixth defeat of the Reds in the championship in this 2025-2026 financial year after 12 days. And which, at the same time, pushed many supporters to leave Anfield, even before the final whistle. A disillusionment that Arne Slot has fully assumed. “ If things go well or if they go bad, it’s always my responsibility. I tried adjusting a few things that didn’t really work. We have quality players. It’s my job to get the best out of them. I can’t do it at the moment », Explained the ex-Feyenoord coach after his 50th match in the Premier League.
Virgil van Dijk pointed out his team’s errors. “ We concede too many easy goals. They scored again from a set piece. We weren’t good in the duels, the tackles, the fight, we were too rushed. The situation is very difficult at the momentreported the Dutchman, who still believes there is a rebound. We have managed to get by before, but we are ultimately in a very difficult situation. We’re not going to get out of this by talking. It will take a lot of work. (…) Everyone is disappointed, because losing at home against Nottingham is very bad. We all need to look in the mirror. I’ve been at this club for so long now and we’ve been through some tough times. We will bounce back, but it will not happen overnight. I’m not one to give up and we’re going to keep going. » Sunday evening, Liverpool (11th) could be 11 points behind Arsenal in the event of a victory for the Gunners against Tottenham. And thus be removed from the title race, for good.
