Arne Slot received message from Liverpool fans loud and clear before fulltime whistle

After a promising start that sparked whispers of a Premier League title challenge, new Reds head coach Arne Slot's honeymoon phase was abruptly halted on a humbling afternoon at Anfield.

Well before referee Michael Oliver blew the final whistle on a dismal defeat, the subdued Anfield faithful had already begun their mass exodus. This was a familiar sight for many, most notably towards the tail end of last season when hopes of a title were dashed by a similarly avoidable loss to Crystal Palace.

For Slot, however, this unexpected defeat to Nottingham Forest was uncharted territory. He's still getting to grips with the capabilities and limitations of the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp, a learning curve that's likely to extend deep into the current season.

• What Alisson did to Conor Bradley after Callum Hudson-Odoi goal didn't go unnoticed

• Liverpool's Alisson aims dig at Nottingham Forest in post-match interview

He'll also have been given a stark introduction to the disruption caused by the international break, a frequent thorn in the side of his predecessor. While Slot had surprisingly welcomed the break as an opportunity for some of his players to get valuable minutes, it came with the uncertainty of whether it would halt his team's early-season momentum.

The answer became clear during a lacklustre first half-hour where Liverpool fell well short of the standards set in their previous two games. Aside from a brief spell of pressure before the interval, they never truly bounced back.

Slot, who once again stuck with the same starting line-up, learned the hard way that while consistency is key, rotation at this level is crucial. Too many players appeared physically and mentally drained, and those who came off the bench lacked the necessary sharpness.

Forest, on the other hand, kept it simple, demonstrating a well-organised defence and relying on their physical strength. When substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi was given the opportunity to score the winning goal with 18 minutes left, he showed a touch of class.

Just as there was no overreaction to the impressive victory over a lacklustre Manchester United two weeks ago, there should be no excessive disappointment over this defeat. The season is still young, as is Slot's tenure.

Anfield fell into a quiet hush, except for the corner where the ecstatic Forest fans were celebrating their team's first win at the stadium since February 1969. Slot, who had set impressive records by winning his first three games in charge, would have preferred not to be linked with this particular Liverpool milestone.