Slot Offers Zero Justifications and Vows to Find Route From Malaise

Arne Slot stated he had to “look at myself” after Liverpool suffered a sixth defeat in 7 English top-flight matches at home against Forest and affirmed he would discover a way out of the title holders' slump.

Forest, fighting against the drop prior to the match, delivered the biggest victory at Anfield in their history as the Merseyside club slipped to an 8th loss in 11 matches in all competitions. The most expensive domestic acquisition, the Swedish striker, was again anonymous and the home side argued the defender's first goal should have been ruled out for comparable grounds to Virgil van Dijk’s chalked-off goal versus City before the national team pause. But the manager admitted the responsibility rested with him and made no excuses.

“No one wants to listen to me now talking about officiating calls if you lose 3-0 in your own stadium to Nottingham Forest,” said the Reds' boss. “I ought to look at myself first and my squad, but it does show you how a score can alter the flow of a match. Before I was just waiting for us to score a strike. Afterwards we barely generated any chances.

“Naturally there is a path forward, particularly with the talented footballers we have. No matter if you win or are beaten when you look back you are always considering: ‘Where can we improve, in what aspects can we adjust?’ but that is different from doubting your abilities.

“I wish to emphasise I am accountable for the present losses. You are responsible when you are victorious but also responsible when you are defeated. I can not provide sufficient excuses for us to have the results we have. That is not acceptable and I am responsible for that.”

Liverpool’s performance unravelled as Slot made multiple attacking changes when chasing the match. “It was the identical away at Nottingham Forest last season,” he said. “I substituted the French defender off and brought on the Portuguese forward and he scored immediately to make it 1-1. Then it was brave, currently it’s probably stupid.”

Liverpool last lost back-to-back home Premier League games by Forest in 1963. The most recent occasion they lost consecutive top-flight matches by a three-goal margin was in the mid-60s.

The manager said: “It was very bad. Competing on home soil, conceding 3-0 no matter which team you face is a very, very bad result. Surprising if you look at the opening 30 minutes of the game. I haven’t seen us producing so many chances in the opening 30 minutes perhaps the entire campaign, and the first time they entered in our penalty area they scored.

“It did not happen at City, but in every other game we have been the controlling side and were able to create chances. Lately it is nearly constantly that we miss our opportunities and the ones we allow find the net.”