Arne Slot and Liverpool’s Unraveling Journey Continues!

Weeks go by, but Liverpool’s struggles continue. Before the international break, the Reds faced a disappointing defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium (3-0). Overpowered in every aspect of the game, Arne Slot’s team seemed to have hit rock bottom, particularly after their recent victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League. The international break came at a critical time for the struggling side. However, even with this ten-day pause, they couldn’t shake off the issues plaguing the reigning English champions.

This Saturday, Liverpool hosted Nottingham Forest for the 12th matchday of the Premier League. The visitors were also struggling this season, sitting second to last prior to kick-off, yet they had previously managed to challenge Mohamed Salah’s teammates last season (0-1 at Anfield, 1-1 at Nottingham). Under new coach Sean Dyche, Forest pulled off a similar feat (0-3), aided by a lackluster and confused performance from the Reds. Liverpool’s defense struggled again, caught off guard by a set-piece for Murillo’s opener (33rd minute). They faltered again just after the break, with Savona scoring the second goal (46th minute), owing to a weak challenge from Mac Allister against Neco Williams.

Are Title Dreams Over This Weekend?

Offensively, Alexander Isak exemplified the underwhelming performance of Liverpool’s forwards (15 touches, one shot off target, and no duels won from seven attempts). The Swedish international, signed at a hefty price this summer, is still chasing his first PL goal with Liverpool and was substituted in the 68th minute for Federico Chiesa. Despite a significant possession advantage (74%), Liverpool couldn’t capitalize against a solid Forest side (21 shots taken, 4 on target) and fell asleep in the second half, conceding a final blow from Gibbs-White (80th minute). This marked the Reds‘ sixth defeat of the 2025-2026 league season after just 12 matches, prompting many supporters to leave Anfield before the final whistle. Coach Arne Slot took full responsibility for the loss, stating, “Whether things go well or poorly, it’s always my responsibility. I tried to make adjustments that didn’t really work. We have quality players, and it’s my job to get the best out of them, but I’m struggling right now.”

Virgil van Dijk addressed the team’s errors, noting, “We give away too many easy goals. They scored again from a set-piece. We weren’t strong in our duels or tackles; we rushed things. The situation is very difficult right now.” The Dutchman, however, remains hopeful for a turnaround. “We have gotten through tough times before, but we find ourselves in a challenging situation. Talking won’t solve it; we need to work hard. Everyone is disappointed because losing at home to Nottingham is very bad. We need to look in the mirror. I’ve been at this club for so long, and we’ve faced difficult moments before. We will bounce back, but it won’t happen overnight. I’m not the type to give up; we’ll keep pushing.” As of Sunday night, Liverpool (11th place) could find themselves 11 points behind Arsenal, should the Gunners win against Tottenham, potentially ending their title aspirations for good.