CHAMPIONS Liverpool continued the dismal defence of their English Premier League title with a shock 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest today.
The struggling Reds were beaten with embarrassing ease by an impressive Forest side without injured Super Eagles pair Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi at a stunned Anfield.
Liverpool were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Manchester City two weeks ago, but instead ran into a Forest side revitalised under new manager Sean Dyche and looking back to their best.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot gave £125m British record signing Alexander Isak a start, but he was totally anonymous once more and only lasted 67 minutes.
Forest went ahead after 33 minutes when defender Murillo shot powerfully past fit-again Liverpool keeper Alisson to subdue an already anxious Anfield.
Igor Jesus had a second ruled out for handball, but Forest doubled their advantage 47 seconds after the break when former Liverpool defender Neco Williams set up Nicola Savona for a crisp finish in front of The Kop.
Liverpool could barely raise a response in a desperate display, Forest increasing their lead 12 minutes from time when Morgan Gibbs-White scored after Alisson saved from Omari Hutchinson.
The result means Liverpool have now lost six of their past seven Premier League fixtures and drop to 11th in the table despite Slot’s near £450m summer spending spree.
At Craven Cottage, Samuel Chukwueze shook off his abject performance for the Super Eagles in the World Cup play-offs to set up Fulham’s late winner against Sunderland.
The Nigeria international delivered a superb long range pass from wide on the left for Raul Jimenez to slot home from close range six minutes from time.
Chukwueze replaced Kevin in the 64th minute and made the assist 20 minutes as Fulham secured victory.
Both Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey started as usual for Fulham, with the former making way in the 89th minute.
In other afternoon kick-offs in the Premier League, Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare was in Wolves’ starting line-up as they lost 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace, who had Christantus Uche on the bench, while Bournemouth came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to West Ham, and Brighton fought back to beat Frank Onyeka’s Brentford 2-1.