Arne Slot praises Liverpool performance despite draw at Nottingham Forest - 'Could not have asked for more'

Premier League leaders Liverpool were made to fight hard for a point as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest. The result leaves the Reds six points clear at the top of the table. The visitors had numerous chances to win the game after coming from behind following Chris Wood's first-half strike. Manager Arne Slot said he 'could not have asked for more' from his players.

‘Could not have asked for more’ – Slot praises character of players after Forest draw

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Arne Slot praised the fight and character of his Liverpool side as they came from behind to earn a point at Nottingham Forest.

Chris Wood's early goal had given the hosts the lead, only for super-sub Diogo Jota to equalise in the second half.

The stalemate, coupled with results elsewhere, means the Reds maintain their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

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Things could have been even better, though, had Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels not pulled off a string of fine stops after the break.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Slot said: "Their goalkeeper had to make a few incredible saves, but their defenders also prevented some shots on target, because they blocked almost every shot.

"I couldn’t have asked for more. The second half performance was outstanding.

"There are not many teams who can create so many chances against a team that’s defensively so strong. Unfortunately we couldn’t score the second."

Jota's goal - the seventh of his career against Forest - came just 22 seconds after he was brought on from the bench. He rose highest to head home a corner inside the penalty area.

The ball into the box was delivered by Kostas Tsimikas, who was also introduced as a substitute at the same time.

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"You need to be a little bit lucky with that," smiled Slot. "We took Ibou [Konate] out, who’s normally a big threat in set-pieces.

"We all know Jota can score a goal, Kostas has a good set-piece, so we brought them in to score a goal during the game, or at the end of the game, but they did it after 20 seconds!"

Liverpool now have 47 points from 20 games, with 15 wins, five draws and one defeat. That loss came against Forest in the reverse fixture at Anfield in September.

From sub to scorer in 22 seconds! How Jota made instant impact against Forest

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A Callum Hudson-Odoi goal was enough to earn Nuno Espirito Santo's side a 1-0 victory on that occasion, and Slot hailed his team for a significantly improved performance this time.

"We were definitely better than the last time we played Forest," he added. "That wasn’t that difficult though!

"We didn’t create many chances back then, we created a lot today."

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And the boss then went on to address his team's position in the table as they fight for a second Premier League crown.

"The second half of the season is always more difficult," he concluded. "You’ve already faced a team, they know us better, they know our playing even better.

"Some teams even bring players in during the winter break or bring a new manager in, and they have to fight for every point.

"Here at Forest, they want to stay up where they are. Next week, maybe you can face a team that’s in a relegation battle.

"So to win in the second half of the season is always harder than in the first, but if we can continue to bring these performances in, like we did in the second half, then we will not always be that unlucky that it ends with a draw."

'I'm proud of the team' - Nuno

The result means Nottingham Forest move up to second in the table, above Arsenal, who play Spurs in the North London derby on Wednesday, January 15, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

It is a remarkable turnaround from last season, when the Tricky Trees finished in 17th place in the Premier League.

They have already accumulated more points than in the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign, and are eying continental football for the first time in 30 years.

Espirito Santo 'so proud' of Forest after 'ping-pong' match with Liverpool

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Manager Espirito Santo, who has masterminded their rise up the table, insisted he had no regrets over not being able to complete a first league double over Liverpool since the 1960s.

"It was a good game," he told TNT Sports. "It was entertaining. The first half, I think we were organised, we didn't allow too many situations. The second half was like ping pong!

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"That's when Liverpool really becomes strong; when they have space and they can accelerate. With the speed and talent that they have, it was a dangerous moment.

"I'm very proud of the team. The way they worked, the way they ran. Especially up and down, the sprints, the recovery, the desire to attack, it was good!"

'Leaves a sour taste' - Wood disappointed with point against Liverpool

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Nuno - a former goalkeeper himself - reserved special praise for Sels, who made a terrific save from Jota with the score level, as well as springing to his left to superbly tip a deflected Cody Gakpo strike around the post.

The goal that he let in ended a run of over seven hours without conceding.

"He's in a good moment," Nuno added. "He's full of confidence and he's keeping us in the game! We are very thankful."

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