Isak was not alone. Liverpool subsided as the game went on.
Mohamed Salah has been pinpointed as one factor in Liverpool’s slide, but he can be absolved here. He was the one Liverpool player who can hold his head high.
For Slot, the problems and the unflattering statistics are starting to pile up like rubble around his feet.
The Dutch coach who showed such a sure touch last season is suddenly floundering. He has not had any answers since Eddie Nketiah’s stoppage-time goal inflicted on Liverpool their first loss of the season at Crystal Palace in September.
Liverpool hinted at a revival with wins against Aston Villa, then a Champions League victory at home to Real Madrid, but what has become normal service resumed when they were worked over in a 3-0 loss at Manchester City, then went down without barely a fight against Sean Dyche’s revitalised Forest.
Even Slot’s changes carried the whiff of desperation – he replaced defender Ibrahima Konate with striker Hugo Ekitike after 55 minutes. It had all the hallmarks of a gamble, a shot in the dark.
Most eyes turned towards the hapless Isak, who was instead given another 13 minutes to confirm this was not his day.
The decline in standards and basic levels of performance since last season has had seasoned Anfield observers rubbing their eyes in disbelief at what they are witnessing.
Florian Wirtz, bought for £116m from Bayer Levekusen this summer, was out injured here – which might have been a blessing in disguise for him – but has also failed to produce.
The German has yet to score or provide an assist in the Premier League.
As for the stats, it is look away now time for Slot and Liverpool:
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This is only the second time they have lost as many as six of their opening 12 Premier League games. They lost six in 2014-15.
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They are only the fourth side to start a season as Premier League champions but lose at least six of their first 12 games, after Blackburn Rovers in 1995-96 (6), Chelsea in 2015-16 (7), and Leicester City in 2016-17 (6).
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This is the first time Liverpool have lost back-to-back league games by three or more goals since April 1965 under Bill Shankly.
All the frailties were on show, from conceding the opening goal to Murillo from a corner.
Liverpool have conceded nine league goals from set-pieces – excluding penalties – this season, as many as they did in the whole of last season.
Their anticipated second-half revival lasted precisely the 47 seconds it took former Liverpool defender Neco Williams to play in Nicola Savona in front of the Kop, who were stunned into silence.
The simplicity with which the goal was created exemplified Forest’s excellence and Liverpool’s lack of heart and intensity.
Heart and intensity.
These were a given for Liverpool under Klopp and last season under Slot. They have barely been seen this season, late wins covering up cracks that have been evident since August.
Morgan Gibbs-White applied the coup de grace 12 minutes from the end, by which time many Liverpool supporters had given up and headed for the exits.
The fans never turned on their team, but the subdued mood of resignation was just as damning. At no point did Anfield possess the air of belief that has carried Liverpool to so many comebacks.
This is where Liverpool and Slot find themselves – in deep, deep, trouble.
Retaining the title? Forget it.
No Premier League champions have successfully defended their title with 18 points or fewer at this stage of the campaign. They are already eight points behind leaders Arsenal, who have a game in hand.
Liverpool are 11th in the table. This is now a fight to make sure they finish in the Champions League places.
In their current reduced circumstances, this will take a major turnaround. If he fails to find a solution, Slot will come under even more severe pressure.