Liverpool dropped points for the second successive Premier League game drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.
Chris Wood scored his 13th Premier League goal of the season as the Midlands side opened the scoring early on, with Liverpool struggling to open the carvers determined Sum defense during the first half several opportunities.
But Diogo Jota came off the bench to secure a hard-fought point for Liverpool with a header just 22 seconds after entering the fray and Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels shone in the dying embers with a string of decisive saves.
How the match unfolded
Nottingham Forest are the only side that won Liverpool in the Premier League this season, and the boisterous City Ground spurred the hosts on from the first whistle to take a quick lead.
Despite conceding territory in the opening stages, Forest proved that possession is irrelevant as they capitalized on a mistake by Mohamed Salah to mount a swift counter-attack in the eighth minute. Anthony Elanga unlocked Liverpool’s defense with a simple through ball and the relentless Wood produced a clinically rehearsed finish to stun the league leaders.
Forest’s opening allowed them to drop even deeper into their own third, with their well-organised back line and midfield stifling the division’s top scorers. Liverpool pressed and tried but failed to create any clear-cut chances in the first half, with the Reds sending most of their efforts over the bar.
Liverpool became increasingly frustrated as the first half drew to a close, and speculative crosses into the penalty area were repeatedly denied by Murillo and Nikola Milenković. Forest’s centre-back pair were powerful as Salah and Co drew an empty net.
Forest continued to frustrate their hosts after the restart, but Arne Slot’s masterful substitution in the 65th minute turned the game around and Liverpool equalised. Kostas Tsimikas and Jota were pressed into action and combined for their first touches of the game when the Greek defender’s corner was headed home by his Portuguese teammate from close range.
The arrival of Jota proved transformative as the Reds finally found some joy in Forest’s final third, with the diminutive forward scoring his side’s second goal of the game shortly after equalizing. Twisting and turning in the penalty area, he pulled off a sprawling save near the goal post from Selso.
Sels repeatedly proved his ability in the closing stages as Liverpool began to pile on the Forest goal, with particularly impressive saves from Jota, Salah and Cody Gakpo. The home keeper just couldn’t be beaten and the Reds were left cursing inspired play between the sticks.
In the end, Forest had their goalkeeper to thank for a hard-fought draw and Liverpool stumbled in the Premier League title race. The Reds will be keeping one eye on Wednesday’s north London derby and Arsenal could cut the gap to just four points with a win.
After losing to a 2-2 draw against Manchester United in their first Premier League game of the new year, Liverpool once again had to settle for a point at the City Ground.
It was another frustrating night for the Reds, who lost momentum until the last half hour. They endured long spells of pointless possession, struggling to open up Forest’s stubborn and watertight defence. In the final period, they looked dull for most of the match.
Although things improved drastically after some smart substitutions from Sloto, this was another missed opportunity for Liverpool, who left the door open for a chase.
Liverpool looked alarmingly flat until the 65th minute, but Jota’s introduction led to rapid improvements. The striker scored with his first touch – another header to add to a surprisingly high aerial tally for the diminutive figure – making the crucial strike just 22 seconds after entering the field.
By the end of the game, Jota could have scored a hat-trick. Two phenomenal saves from Sels denied the former Wolves man, who offered Forest’s back line a unique test with his clever movement and direct approach.
Luis Diaz once again led the line at the City Ground but was frustrated for much of the evening. Meanwhile, Jota was Liverpool’s savior and earned the right to start the next attack in attack.
Much has been made of Forest’s outstanding defensive record this season and they showed their muscle against the league’s top goalscorers. Their well-oiled and solid back four were guarded by the tireless Ryan Yates and Elliot Anderson, both of whom battled like terriers in the engine room.
Neco Williams played a great game against his former club, while Nikola Milenkovic and Ola Aina were equally stoic. The latter even produced a late clearance that proved crucial in the end.
But Murillo and Sels were the stars of the show. The former produced a defiant display that reflected his growing status as one of the league’s elite young talents, while Sels produced a string of exceptional late saves to earn Forest a point.
Nun Espirito Santo’s organizational skills frustrated one of Europe’s elite forward lines, but that was no surprise.
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