All the frailties were on show, from conceding the opening goal to Murillo from a corner.
Liverpool have conceded nine league goals from set-pieces – excluding penalties – this season, as many as they did in the whole of last season.
Their anticipated second-half revival lasted precisely the 39 seconds it took former Liverpool defender Neco Williams to play in Nicola Savona in front of the Kop, who were stunned into silence.
The simplicity with which the goal was created exemplified Forest’s excellence and Liverpool’s lack of heart and intensity.
Heart and intensity.
These were a given for Liverpool under Klopp and last season under Slot. They have barely been seen this season, late wins covering up cracks that have been evident since August.
Morgan Gibbs-White applied the coup de grace 12 minutes from the end, by which time many Liverpool supporters had given up and headed for the exits.
The fans never turned on their team, but the subdued mood of resignation was just as damning. At no point did Anfield possess the air of belief that has carried Liverpool to so many comebacks.
This is where Liverpool and Slot find themselves – in deep, deep, trouble.
Retaining the title? Forget it.
No Premier League champions have successfully defended their title with 18 points or fewer at this stage of the campaign. They are already eight points behind leaders Arsenal, who have a game in hand.
Liverpool are 11th in the table. This is now a fight to make sure they finish in the Champions League places.
In their current reduced circumstances, this will take a major turnaround. If he fails to find a solution, Slot will come under even more severe pressure.
