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Isaac was not alone. Liverpool calmed down as the match went on.
Mohamed Salah has been identified as one factor in Liverpool’s slide, but he could be exonerated here. He was the only Liverpool player who could hold his head up high.
For Slott, problems and unpleasant statistics began to pile up like rubble around his feet.
The Dutch coach, who showed a sure touch last season, is suddenly faltering. He has had no answers since Eddie Nketiah’s stoppage-time goal handed Liverpool their first loss of the season against Crystal Palace in September.
Liverpool hinted at a revival with victory over Aston Villa, then a Champions League win at home to Real Madrid, but what had become normal resumed when they were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City, then went down without barely a fight against Sean Dyche’s tonic jungle.
Even the changes made by Sloat carried a whiff of desperation, as he replaced defender Ibrahima Konate with striker Hugo Ekiteke after 55 minutes. It had all the trappings of a gamble, a shot in the dark.
Most eyes were on the unlucky Isaac, who was given another 13 minutes to demonstrate that this was not his day.
The decline in standards and basic levels of performance since last season has seasoned Anfield observers rubbing their eyes in disbelief at what they are witnessing.
Florian Wirtz, bought for £116m from Bayer Levkusen this summer, limped off injured here – which may have been a blessing in disguise for him – but also failed to produce.
The German has not scored or provided any assists yet in the English Premier League.
As for the stats, now is the time to look away from Slott and Liverpool:
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This is only the second time they have lost six of their first 12 Premier League matches. They lost six in 2014-15.
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They are only the fourth team to start a season as Premier League champions but have lost at least six of their first 12 games, after Blackburn Rovers in 1995-96 (6), Chelsea in 2015-16 (7), and Leicester City in 2016-17 (6).
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This is the first time Liverpool have lost two consecutive league games by three or more goals since April 1965 under Bill Shankly.
All the weaknesses were evident, starting with conceding Murillo’s first goal from a corner kick.
Liverpool have conceded nine league goals from set-pieces – excluding penalty kicks – this season, the same number they conceded in all of last season.
Their much-anticipated second-half revival lasted exactly the 47 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 embodies Forest’s superiority and Liverpool’s lack of courage and intensity.
The heart and its intensity.
These were a given for Liverpool under Klopp and last season under Slott. They have barely been seen this season, with late wins papering over cracks that had been evident since August.
Morgan Gibbs-White applied the knockout blow 12 minutes from time, by which time many Liverpool fans had given up and headed for the exit.
The fans never turned on their team, but the subdued mood of resignation was equally damning. At no time did Anfield possess the atmosphere of belief that has led Liverpool to so many comebacks.
This is where Liverpool and Slott find themselves – in very deep trouble.
Retain the title? Forget it.
No Premier League champion has successfully defended their title with 18 points or fewer at this stage of the season. The team is already eight points behind leaders Arsenal, who have a match in hand.
Liverpool ranks 11th in the standings. This is now a battle to make sure they get the Champions League qualifying places.
In their current dire circumstances, this will require a major transformation. If he fails to find a solution, Slott will come under more intense pressure.
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