Nottingham Forest 1-1 Liverpool: Hosts’ heroics undone by Slott’s super sub on night of pure theater
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis sat in the City Ground directors’ box in front of his own private giant television screen, glued to a night of pure Premier League theatre.
Whether Marinakis’ eyes were fixed on the television or on the events unfolding on the pitch in front of him, he was watching Forest fulfill his burning ambition of punching above their weight with the top-flight superpowers, in this case the Premier League leaders. Liverpool.
It was a night that had everything – from an amazingly fiery atmosphere to Forest fans living the high life, to a brilliant defensive performance from Nuno Espirito Santo, only to be replaced by a double replacement of the genius of Liverpool head coach Arne Slott. Because of which almost changed from defeat to victory.
The end result was a 1-1 draw which left Liverpool six points ahead of Forest with a game in hand, the Premier League’s surprise package showing they fully deserve their place in the upper reaches of the table.
Until 66 minutes it looked as if Forest were going to deliver Liverpool’s second knockout blow this season after the win at Anfield in September, yet Slott’s side suffered their only league defeat this season.
The first half was classic Forest, classic Nuno, as they took the lead in trademark fashion after eight minutes, Anthony Elanga slipping a pass beyond Virgil van Dijk into the path of striker Chris Wood, who is enjoying a golden season. His 13th goal of the season to clinch a clinical finish.
At the center of this monumental Forest effort was goalkeeper Matz Sels, who produced a heroic display in the last minute to keep Liverpool at bay with the twin powerhouses of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic.
If there is a stronger central defensive partnership in the Premier League, they should be an intimidating sight.
Murillo and Milenkovic are both quality players, but it is the determination and “they will not pass” approach that allows Forest’s counter-attacking game, with Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the flanks and Wood in the middle, to flourish. Give a platform of.
