Three things learned from Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest as transfer priority becomes clear - opinion

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Liverpool slumped to a concerning defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest on November 22.After losing to Manchester City last time out, the Reds had won just one of their previous six Premier League fixtures under Arne Slot.Liverpool made a number of changes on Saturday, some enforced and some selection-based, including Alexander Isak being given the nod ahead of Hugo Ekitike.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Mohamed Salah started well against Forest, but as has so often been the case this season, the Reds were caught out defensively.Murillo opened the scoring in the 33rd minute from a corner, taking a 1-0 lead into the break.Liverpool’s players were switched off when play resumed, allowing Nicolo Savona to make it 2-0 in the 46th minute before Morgan Gibbs-White added a third late on, which was enough for Forest to secure another shock win at Anfield.Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesJamie Carragher was right about Arne SlotEarlier this week, Jamie Carragher suggested that Slot is now obsessed with the Champions League.The Dutchman has made some interesting calls in Europe so far this season, putting out strong sides against what most would call weaker opponents.And after seeing his starting eleven against Forest, it did appear as though a number of decisions were made with one eye on the PSV fixture this coming Wednesday.Ekitike is Liverpool’s top scorer in all competitions this term, but Isak started ahead of him despite not being fully match fit.Andy Robertson was also benched for the struggling Milos Kerkez, who had been demoted to the Reds’ second-choice left-back prior to the November break.Both were interesting calls, especially given that PSV are one of the weaker teams Liverpool will face in the Champions League this season.

So, it would have made more sense to hand underperforming players and those lacking match sharpness a run-out against the Dutch outfit instead. Should Liverpool sack Arne Slot?

Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool must sign a defender in JanuaryDespite Forest going into the clash as one of the lowest scorers in the Premier League and Alisson making his long-awaited return, the home team once again failed to keep a clean sheet.Prior to gameweek 12, Slot’s men had already conceded more than double their total at this stage last season.SeasonManagerGoals concededPosition (GW11)2025/26Arne Slot178th2024/25Arne Slot61st2023/24Jurgen Klopp103rd2022/23Jurgen Klopp148th2021/22Jurgen Klopp112nd2020/21Jurgen Klopp172nd2019/20Jurgen Klopp91st2018/19Jurgen Klopp52nd2017/18Jurgen Klopp176th2016/17Jurgen Klopp141st2015/16Brendan Rodgers / Jurgen Klopp158thAgain, the Reds’ defenders were far too easily beaten on Saturday, and as fans have already pointed out, Liverpool must sign a centre-back in January.Van Dijk has been questioned by Wayne Rooney, while Ibrahima Konate has looked off his game this term.Marc Guehi is an option, and Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni could be available in 2026 after being offered to the Merseyside club.Hugo Ekitike should have started over Alexander IsakIt was surprising to see the Frenchman benched on Saturday, and with the benefit of hindsight, it was the wrong decision.Isak was anonymous for large periods, hardly getting a touch during his time on the pitch.Ekitike was brought on with Liverpool already two goals down, and while he looked much sharper than his striker counterpart, he was unable to turn things around.Liverpool have now lost six of their last seven Premier League games.