Liverpool are gearing up for what feels like a pivotal moment in their season as they face Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
Having dropped points last time out, the Reds currently sit six points above Forest while also having a game in hand in their back pocket.
But Nuno Espirito Santo’s team have won their last seven matches in all competitions, keeping clean sheets in each of the past five.
Forest are also the only team to beat Liverpool in the Premier League this season, coming away from Anfield with a surprise 1-0 win back in September.
Understandably, Arne Slot was far from happy with the loss – his only defeat during the whole of 2024 – and there’s a feeling that the Liverpool head coach has been waiting for his chance at revenge.
And as they prepare for the trip to Nottingham, Slot was caught on camera giving an interesting message to his players at the Liverpool training ground.
Arne Slot delivers training ground message
Forest’s form and position in the Premier League table make this a critical fixture for Liverpool.
All of their rivals will be desperate for the Reds to drop points at the City Ground and a win would feel enormous.
For Slot, he has felt to be on a personal mission to wipe the memory of September’s loss from his mind and although it won’t be easy, should still believe his team are favourites.
Four months to the day at Anfield, Liverpool were simply bettered in all departments by Forest. In particular, the Reds were caught lacking in the physical area of the game. It sounds simple, but the away team wanted it more.
-READ MORE: Chris Sutton predicts who will win in the Premier League between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest
That cannot be allowed to happen again. And judging from his comments during LFCTV’s Inside Training video on Monday, Slot won’t let it.
Addressing his players during a small-sided game, the Dutch coach had a message for his squad. “Every time if you lose it and they play the first ball, within five seconds behind the ball. All of you,” Slot bellowed.
No excuses for Liverpool
The stage is set for an enormous midweek round of fixtures in the Premier League.
Not only do Liverpool face one of their most difficult remaining away games, second-placed Arsenal do battle in a North London Derby with Tottenham.
If things go Liverpool’s way, they could really put themselves into a wonderful position. A Reds win and an Arsenal defeat would see Slot’s team nine points clear of any challenger with a game in hand.
But defeat at the City Ground and that gap will be just three points. If Arsenal win as well, both teams will feel emboldened that they can go on and catch Liverpool.
September’s loss against Forest served as an early warning to Slot about the dangers of underestimating any Premier League opponent. Tuesday is the ultimate test of how much he learnt.
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