Murillo's Masterclass Exposes Liverpool's Toothless Dominance

À Éviter Score Futmetrix: 36/100. A tactical demolition wrapped in statistical irony—75% possession yields zero goals, while Forest's surgical efficiency delivers three.

When Possession Becomes a Liability

Liverpool controlled the tempo from kickoff, threading 617 passes through a suffocating midfield press. Yet here's the rub: Nottingham Forest turned the Reds' dominance into a liability. The Balance tilted decisively when Murillo struck in the 33rd minute—a statement goal that exposed Liverpool's defensive fragility. By halftime, Nicolò Savona had doubled the lead off Neco Williams' assist, and the Stakes had shifted seismically.

The Upset wasn't just about the scoreline. Forest absorbed 21 Liverpool shots—more than half from inside the box—yet their goalkeeper made only three saves. Liverpool's 2.02 xG evaporated into the Anfield night. Meanwhile, Forest's seven shots on target converted at a 43% rate. This wasn't luck; it was clinical ruthlessness against profligacy. The Intensity climbed with 14 corners and 36 combined shots, but only one side made their chances count.

By the 78th minute, Morgan Gibbs-White sealed the rout with Forest's third. Liverpool's form—LLWLL entering this fixture—suggested vulnerability, but few predicted this magnitude of collapse. Forest, sitting 16th with just 12 points, had executed a 53% probability upset, the kind that reshuffles mid-table narratives and haunts managers for months.

Murillo's 9.2 rating and Savona's 8.5 weren't inflated—both defenders orchestrated possession switches that turned Liverpool's 75% control into a trap. The Reds' 89% pass accuracy masked a deeper malaise: they couldn't translate territorial dominance into cutting chances. Forest's 72% pass accuracy and 25% possession told a different story—one of efficiency, timing, and cold finishing.