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Arne Slot stated he had to “examine my own performance” after Liverpool endured a sixth defeat in 7 English top-flight games on their own turf to Forest and insisted he would discover a way from the champions’ slump.

Nottingham Forest, fighting against the drop prior to the match, delivered the biggest victory at Liverpool's stadium in their club records as the Merseyside club fell to an 8th defeat in 11 matches in all competitions. The most expensive domestic acquisition, the Swedish striker, was once more anonymous and Liverpool contended Murillo’s opener should have been ruled out for similar reasons to Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed effort versus Manchester City before the national team pause. But Slot conceded the buck rested with him and made no excuses.

“Nobody wishes to hear me now speaking about refereeing decisions if you are defeated 3-0 in your own stadium to Nottingham Forest,” said the Reds' boss. “I ought to examine my own role initially and my team, 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 goal. Afterwards we barely generated anything.

“Naturally there is a way out, particularly with the talented players we have. No matter if you triumph or are beaten when you look back you are always thinking: ‘Where can we do better, where can we make changes?’ but that is different from doubting your abilities.

“I want to emphasise I am accountable for the present losses. You are answerable when you are victorious but also liable when you are losing. I can never provide sufficient excuses for us to have the outcomes we have. That is far from good enough and I am responsible for that.”

Liverpool’s performance fell apart as the coach made several offensive changes when pursuing the game. “It was the same away at Nottingham Forest the previous campaign,” he remarked. “I substituted the French defender off and put on the Portuguese forward and he found the net straight away to make it 1-1. Then it was courageous, now it’s likely unwise.”

Liverpool last lost two successive at Anfield league fixtures against Nottingham Forest in 1963. The last time they lost consecutive top-flight matches by a 3-0 scoreline was in the mid-60s.

The manager commented: “It was extremely poor. Playing on home soil, losing 3-0 no matter which opponent you face is a very, very bad result. Unexpected if you consider the first half-hour of the match. I did not witness us creating so many chances in the initial 30 minutes perhaps the whole season, and the initial occasion they arrived in our penalty area they found the back of the net.

“It wasn’t against Manchester City, but in all other game we have been the controlling team and were able to create opportunities. Recently it is almost constantly that we miss our chances and the ones we concede find the net.”