Liverpool told it 'can't blame VAR' as Arne Slot's woes continue against Forest

Liverpool was warned not to pin their frustrations on VAR as Arne Slot’s side suffered yet another setback against Nottingham Forest.

Murillo put Forest ahead after beating Alisson Becker from a first-half set-piece, exposing Liverpool’s defensive frailties once again. Early in the second half, Nicolo Savona doubled the lead with a composed finish after being left unmarked in the box, before Morgan Gibbs-White added a well-taken third to compound the Reds’ misery.

The first half was also shrouded in VAR controversy. Murillo rifled the ball into the net with Dan Ndoye positioned offside near Alisson, yet—unlike the similar incident involving Virgil van Dijk 13 days earlier—the goal stood.

Liverpool did, however, benefit from VAR before the break when Igor Jesus’ strike was ruled out for handball.

However, a number of pundits have made it clear Liverpool can't blame the result on VAR. Martin Keown on Final Score said: “Liverpool can't blame VAR for this one. They have simply been undone. Whether it's a crisis I don't know, it's certainly a major problem for the manager to go six defeats from seven. Unthinkable.”

Meanwhile, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live at Anfield, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said: “Forest came with a clear game plan to sit in and hold their space and then be more adventurous.

"Liverpool have created chances but they have once again showed that susceptibility and conceded. Nottingham Forest have taken advantage of that weakness.”

On the Murillo goal, Keown said: "If you follow the mantra of last time when Robertson ducked out the way of the ball, and here the ball goes through the legs of the player in front of Alisson.

"Why did that go against us last week, and the opposite against us this week?"

Robinson added: "Wonderful delivery from Elliot Anderson, and it falls to Murillo, and he finally finds the back of the net. The players are surrounding the referee, and Murillo thunders it past Alisson."

On the Jesus goal, Keown said: "It looks like the ball came up and hit Jesus on his ribcage. Surely VAR have seen something to chalk it off. I can't see the hand."

And Robinson stated: "You couldn't see the freeze of where it struck Igor Jesus' arm, but it looked like it hit him on the sleeve."

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