Slot Provides Zero Justifications and Vows to Find Way Out of Malaise

Liverpool's head coach stated he had to “look at myself” after the Reds endured a sixth defeat in seven Premier League games on their own turf against Nottingham Forest and affirmed he would discover a way out of the title holders' poor run.

Forest, fighting against the drop prior to the match, delivered the biggest victory at Anfield in their club records as the Merseyside club slipped to an eighth defeat in 11 fixtures in every tournament. The most expensive domestic acquisition, Alexander Isak, was once more unnoticeable and the home side contended the defender's first goal should have been ruled out for comparable grounds to the captain's disallowed effort against Manchester City before the international break. But the manager conceded the responsibility rested with him and offered no alibis.

“Nobody wants to hear me now talking about refereeing decisions if you lose 3-0 in your own stadium to Nottingham Forest,” said the Liverpool head coach. “I ought to look at myself initially and my squad, but it demonstrates you how a goal can change the momentum of a match. Earlier I was just hoping for us to score a goal. Afterwards we hardly created any chances.

“Naturally there is a way out, especially with the talented players we have. Regardless if you triumph or lose when you reflect you are always thinking: ‘Where can we improve, where can we make changes?’ but that is different from doubting your abilities.

“I wish to stress I am accountable for the current losses. You are responsible when you are victorious but also liable when you are defeated. I can not provide enough reasons for us to have the outcomes we have. That is far from acceptable and I am responsible for that.”

Liverpool’s performance fell apart as the coach introduced multiple offensive substitutions when pursuing the match. “It was the identical away at Nottingham Forest last season,” he said. “I took the French defender out and put on the Portuguese forward and he scored straight away to equalize at 1-1. Then it was courageous, now it’s likely unwise.”

Liverpool previously were defeated in back-to-back at Anfield league games against Forest in the sixties. The most recent occasion they suffered consecutive top-flight matches by a three-goal scoreline was in the mid-60s.

Slot said: “It was extremely poor. Competing at home, conceding 3-0 regardless of which opponent you encounter is a terrible outcome. Surprising if you look at the opening 30 minutes of the match. I haven’t seen us producing so much in the initial 30 minutes maybe the whole campaign, and the initial occasion they entered in our penalty area they found the back of the net.

“It wasn’t at City, but in all other fixture we have been the dominant team and were capable to generate opportunities. Lately it is nearly constantly that we miss our chances and the ones we allow go in.”