Liverpool and Arne Slot in ‘full-blown crisis’ after 3-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest

Isak wasn’t alone. Liverpool calmed down as the match progressed.

Mohamed Salah has been cited as one of the factors in Liverpool’s decline but he can be forgiven here. He was Liverpool’s only player who could hold his head up.

Problems and unpleasant statistics for the slot begin to pile up like rubble at their feet.

The Dutch coach, who showed such a sure touch last season, suddenly began to falter. There has been no response since Eddie Nketiah’s injury-time goal handed Liverpool their first defeat of the season at Crystal Palace in September.

Liverpool signaled a revival with a win against Aston Villa, followed by a Champions League victory at home to Real Madrid, but service returned to normal when they lost 3-0 at Manchester City and then went down almost without a fight against Sean Dyche’s resurgent Forest.

Even Slot’s changes smacked of desperation; He brought on striker Hugo Ekitike to replace defender Ibrahima Konate after 55 minutes. It had all the hallmarks of a gamble, a shot in the dark.

Most eyes turned to the unfortunate Isak; Instead, he was given 13 more minutes to confirm that this was not his day.

The decline in standards and basic performance levels since last season has left experienced Anfield observers rubbing their eyes in disbelief at what they are witnessing.

Florian Wirtz, bought from Bayer Levekusen for £116m this summer, was injured here – which may have been a blessing in disguise for him – but was also unable to feature.

The German is yet to score or assist in the Premier League.

As for the statistics, now it’s time to look at Slots and Liverpool:

All weaknesses were evident until the first goal was awarded to Murillo from a corner.

Liverpool conceded nine league goals from set pieces this season, excluding penalties, as they did throughout last season.

Their anticipated second-half revival took the full 47 seconds it took for former Liverpool defender Neco Williams to slot in Nicola Savona in front of the silent Kop.

The simplicity with which the goal was created exemplified Forest’s excellence and Liverpool’s lack of courage and intensity.

Heart and intensity.

These were given to Liverpool under Klopp and last season under Slot. They have been few and far between this season, with late victories closing the cracks that had been evident since August.

Morgan Gibbs-White delivered the final blow 12 minutes after the end of the game, by which time many Liverpool fans had given up and headed for the exits.

Fans never turned their backs on their team, but the pent-up spirit of resignation was just as devastating. Anfield has never had the air of conviction that has carried Liverpool to so many comebacks.

This is where Liverpool and Slot find themselves in deep, deep trouble.

Retain the title? Forget about it.

At this stage of the season, no Premier League champions have successfully defended their title with 18 points or fewer. They are eight points behind leaders Arsenal, who already have a game in hand.

Liverpool is in 11th place in the points table. Now it’s a fight to guarantee their place in the Champions League.

In its current diminished conditions, this would require a major reversal. If it cannot find a solution, Slot will come under even heavier pressure.