Great Nottingham Forest

Arne Slot ADMITS : IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO WIN FOREST

"We couldn't ask for more," said manager Arne Slot, as his Liverpool side drew 1-1 at Nottingham Forest. Liverpool remain comfortably top of the Premier League, while the draw with Liverpool helped Forest consolidate their place in the top four.

Nottingham Forest (right) consolidated their position in the top four after holding Liverpool to a 1-1 draw

Quite a surprise, for a Forest team that finished 17th last season - that is, right on the relegation line. Forest had only just returned to Premier League level the previous season, and everyone thought that Forest's most realistic goal this season was to try to stay in the league. It is unlikely that Forest will do what Leicester did in the 2015-2016 season (surprisingly winning the Premier League). But those who like to watch surprises in football can absolutely expect miracles from coach Nuno Espirito Santo's team this season: winning a ticket to the Champions League.

On the one hand, coach Slot asserted: a draw with Forest was already an achievement. According to Arne Slot, they are a very solid opponent, very difficult to play against, and always play effectively at home. On the other hand, as Slot said before the match: the beginning of the second half of the season (ie now) is the time for observers to make the most accurate assessment of which teams are formidable, while the assessment at the beginning of the season is only "virtual".

Everyone has seen the formidable strength of Liverpool this season - from the Premier League to the Champions League. Yet Forest have now taken 4 points (while Liverpool only have 1 point) in 2 direct confrontations with the top team. Forest are the only team to have beaten Liverpool in the Premier League. It was also the only loss in the national championship for coach Arne Slot in 2024 (including when he coached Feyenoord and when he moved to lead Liverpool).

ALWAYS LEAD AND PLAY EFFECTIVELY

"Football is played, not money" - Coach Nuno said about the "cheap" value of Forest's squad. Goalkeeper Matz Sels, bought from Strasbourg a year ago for only 5 million pounds, made many excellent saves against Liverpool's famous strikers. Striker Chris Wood, center back Murillo or full back Ola Aina all played very well, although they never made a splash in the transfer market. Forest's starting lineup against Liverpool cost a total of 110 million pounds - equivalent to only one star in other teams such as Declan Rice (Arsenal), Enzo Fernandez or Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), Jack Grealish (Manchester City).

Nuno has successfully built a team-based style of play. Forest always enter the game with enthusiasm, with a strong competitive spirit. They often open the score, and when Forest are behind, it is very difficult for their opponents to win back. In 21 rounds, Forest opened the score in 16 matches. They have only lost once and have been equalized 5 times. Forest's style of play has absolutely no room for fancy play. They always keep and pass the ball very little, and are often "bottom" in these two notable technical indicators. But Forest attack the ball very quickly and effectively every time they have the ball. This is the number 1 team in the Premier League this season, considering the gap between the actual number of goals and points compared to the "expected" number of goals and points (xG and xP). No one can do it like Nuno and his team!

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tuyet-voi-nottingham-forest-185250116215503734.htm