Definitely, this Nottingham Forest team is not succeeding in Liverpool. After being defeated at Anfield in the first leg in what is still his only setback of the season (0-1) in the Premier League, the leader failed to bring back more than a point this Tuesday evening. Quickly led, Virgil van Dijk’s gang waited until the second half to equalize (1-1) and therefore maintain the 6-point gap with their opponent.
In the warm atmosphere of the City Ground, Nuno Espirito Santo’s players gave back to their supporters all the fervor they gave them. And it was Chris Wood who got the party started. After four unsuccessful attempts by Liverpool in as many minutes, the New Zealander found the fault on his team’s first foray. Launched in depth by Anthony Elanga, the New Zealander deceived Alisson with an uncontrolled left cross shot (1-0, 8th). Struggling in the last 30 meters to create any big chances, the Liverpuldiens did not have a single shot on target before the break, returning to the locker room trailing 1-0.
Matz Sels during Nottingham Forest-Liverpool, January 14, 2025.
Credit: Getty Images
Salts were everywhere
Liverpool found the target for the first time only with the equalizer. An achievement that bears the mark of Arne Slot’s flair. A few seconds after their arrival on the field, the first two entrants of the game Kostas Tsimikas and Diojo Jota were decisive with their first ball. From a corner, the Greek found the head of the Portuguese who deceived a Matz Sels who remained frozen on his line (1-1, 66th).
Far from being flawless on goal, the former Strasbourg player more than made up for it at the end of the match, disgusting Jota twice (69th and 77th), Dominik Szoboszlai (81st), Mohamed Salah (87th) and Cody Gakpo (90th + 3). And when the Belgian goalkeeper is beaten, Ola Aina saves on his line in front of the Egyptian (88th). This self-sacrifice from Nottingham allowed it to hold the draw despite the opposing attacks. A result that is probably frustrating given the scenario, but which allows Forest to temporarily move up to second place, pending Arsenal’s result on Wednesday during the “North London Derby” against Tottenham.
