Nottingham Forest: Nuno Espirito Santo has made Forest Premier League title contenders
When Nottingham Forest take on Liverpool at the City Ground next week it will be a top-of-the-table match that few could have predicted in August.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are six points behind the leaders after a 3-0 win over Wolves on Monday and victory over the Reds – whom they beat at Anfield earlier in the season – on Tuesday, January 14 will only increase the title buzz.
After finishing 17th last season, Nuno has transformed the team amid off-field chaos and a four-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules.
Only now questions are being asked about his title credentials, Forest’s cool water credentials and Nuno’s ability to downplay even the highest praise.
Even if it was tongue in cheek, the manager quipped in the post-match press conference at Molineux that he would not mind with Forest third in the table, only behind Arsenal on goal difference .
“I don’t know, maybe at the end of the season I’ll look into it. I promise you guys I will,” he said with a smile.
“We’re trying to build something good together. We’ve got to enjoy the journey, and nothing else matters. The table doesn’t matter. We just keep going.”
However, the Portuguese will not be able to deflect attention or questions for long. Asked directly about the Liverpool game he pointed to Saturday’s trip to Luton in the FA Cup third round.
He said, “I’m sorry for not being able to answer your question, but that’s the reality. We have to prepare well for that game.”
“The FA Cup is important and from a team point of view it is a good opportunity for us. We can give players minutes because it is a very long season and we need to give minutes to all the players. They need fitness and Rhythm. So first, Luton.”
Forest are the only team to beat Liverpool in the Premier League this season and should they perform twice as well as Arne Slott’s side, it would be more than just a statement of intent.
“If they beat Liverpool they are in the title race,” former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports.
“What I would say right now is that they have a big chance if they go into the Champions League with a top five place.”
