Liverpool’s dream of back-to-back Premier League titles lies in tatters following a shocking 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on November 23, 2025, plunging the reigning champions into their worst crisis in over a decade. What began as a temporary blip after a commanding 2024/25 title win has escalated into a full-blown meltdown, with Arne Slot’s side losing six of their last seven league games—a tally matching their previous 58 fixtures combined. Chairman Tom Werner watched in dismay from the directors’ box as Sean Dyche’s revitalized Forest dismantled the Reds, exposing a lack of fight, creativity, and ruthlessness that has left Anfield questioning the £450 million summer spend. Slot, succeeding Jürgen Klopp’s legacy, now faces intense scrutiny—his position not yet in jeopardy, but the pressure mounting with every missed chance.
Key Stats from the Forest Debacle
- Scoreline: Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest (Murillo 55′, Gibbs-White 78′, Savona 88′)
- Possession: Liverpool 68%—but 0 shots on target
- xG: Liverpool 1.2 vs Forest 1.8
- League Position: 11th (18 points); 8 behind leaders Arsenal (game in hand)
- Home Form: 2 losses in last 3 Anfield league games (first since 2014/15)
- Attendance: 53,007—muted Kop exodus after 60′
Forest’s efficiency—conceding just 9 shots—turned Liverpool’s dominance into despair.
The Meltdown Unfolds: From Title Contenders to Relegation Fodder?
Slot’s honeymoon ended abruptly. After a 2024/25 triumph (89 points, +61 GD), Liverpool’s 2025/26 has imploded: 6 losses in 12 games (last season’s total). Forest rout: Started well (68% possession first half)—but corner goal (Murillo, 55′) sparked collapse.
Second half: No shots on target; late exits from Anfield. Slot: “Very bad—started well, conceded, couldn’t create. My responsibility.”
Keown (BBC): “Major problem—unthinkable 6/7 defeats. Wheels off; £450m spend worse team.”
Warner (chairman): Watched silently—first Anfield loss since 2023.
Fans: No boos, but subdued resignation—first consecutive 3+ goal home losses since 1965 (Shankly era).
The £450m Question: Summer Spend Backfires
Slot’s rebuild: £450m on Isak (£125m Newcastle), Ekitike (£80m PSG), Wirtz (£116m Leverkusen), Konaté extension (£50m), Nketiah (£79m Arsenal).
Returns:
- Isak: 2 goals in 12 PL apps; anonymous vs Forest (subbed 68′).
- Wirtz: 0G/0A; “waste of money” chants.
- Ekitike: 1 goal; peripheral.
- Nketiah: Stoppage-time Palace winner—sole spark.
Slot: “Invested big—quality there. But not converting; clinical edge missing.”
Klopp’s 2024/25: 89 points, +61 GD. Slot’s: 18 points, 11th—6 losses = 2014/15 total.
Slot’s Pressure Cooker: Legacy of Klopp, Demand to Win
Slot succeeded Klopp’s dynasty—Euros 2022, CL 2019, PL 2020. Honeymoon: Title. Now: Pressure.
Klopp: “Win every game” culture clings.
Slot: “Tried adjustments—didn’t work. Responsibility mine.”
Bompastor—no, Slot: “Started well 30 mins—conceded, crumbled.”
Anfield: 2 home losses in 3 (first since 2014/15)—68% possession, 0 shots on target.
Road Ahead: CL Chase or Collapse?
November fixtures:
- Tottenham (A, Nov 30)
- Bayern (H, CL, Dec 3)
- Man City (A, Dec 7)
8 points behind Arsenal; 11th place—relegation fight? No, but CL (top 4) desperate.
Injuries: Havertz (knee), Gyökeres (hamstring), Odegaard (ankle), Madueke (knee), Martinelli (muscle).
Arteta: “Concern—explosive player. Dig deeper.”
Returning: Calafiori, White.
Slot: “Busy—depth decides. Gabriel huge, but options good.”
PL table (post-MD13):
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 37 | +22 |
| 2 | Man City | 33 | +20 |
| 11 | Liverpool | 18 | -5 |
Verdict: Crisis Mode – Slot’s Time to Fix or Flounder
Liverpool’s 3-0 Forest thrashing—first consecutive 3+ goal home losses since 1965—transforms blip to blow-up.
£450m spend: Worse team—Isak/Wirtz flops sting.
Slot: “Very bad—my responsibility.” Pressure severe—win perpetually demand.
November crunch: Tottenham/Bayern/City—CL or catastrophe?
Anfield ghosts: Klopp’s roar faded—Slot’s revival needed.
