Wayne Rooney delivers a harsh verdict on Liverpool following their defeat to Nottingham Forest
Liverpool’s disastrous afternoon at Anfield prompted a blunt reaction from former England captain Wayne Rooney, who offered a scathing assessment of Arne Slot’s side after their 3-0 home defeat to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.
Before the international break, the Reds had already suffered a 3-0 loss to Manchester City — a disappointing but understandable setback given City’s title credentials.
This latest defeat, however, came against a Forest team that has already changed managers this season and remains stuck in the lower half of the Premier League table. Even more alarming was that it happened at Anfield, traditionally Liverpool’s fortress.
Rooney praises Forest and slams Liverpool’s shortcomings
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Rooney commended Forest for their discipline and structure but stressed that Liverpool were outclassed across the pitch.
He highlighted how Dyche’s side fought like a team battling for survival — a level of determination Liverpool failed to match.
Rooney said:
“Forest were outstanding defensively. They were really organised and putting their bodies on the line; we know that’s what you get from a Sean Dyche team. Then they were effective on the break as well and caused Liverpool problems.
“Early on Liverpool had a few good chances and Anderson got a couple of excellent blocks in, but once Forest got the first goal, they looked like they didn’t have any answers. Forest looked comfortable.”
Liverpool’s crisis deepens under Slot
The loss — Liverpool’s sixth in seven league matches — has heaped enormous pressure on Slot, with fans increasingly questioning his tactical approach.
Forest, meanwhile, delivered one of their best displays of the campaign, with Murillo, Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White finding the net in a result that stunned the Premier League.
Now eight points behind leaders Arsenal, Slot faces a pivotal moment in his Liverpool reign.
Rooney’s message was clear: Liverpool aren’t just losing matches — they’re losing the identity that once made them one of the league’s most formidable sides.
