Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he “couldn’t have asked for more” from him against title contenders Nottingham Forest.
Forest held the league leaders to a 1-1 draw at the City Ground on Tuesday evening, with a Diogo Jota header in the second half, canceling out an early goal from the in-form player Chris Wood.
Liverpool looked far from their best against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, but they remain six points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with a game in hand against many teams below them, and Slot was quick to praise his players’ efforts after the match.
“I couldn’t have asked for better today,” said the Dutchman. “I think most people would speak very positively about the second half, but if you play on this pitch against this team who are in such good form, who hardly concede any chances in every game and who have so much threats of counterattack.
“We only conceded one counter-attack today in 98 minutes of play. It’s total domination.”
He added: “It’s 1-0 here, and it’s so difficult to score against this team. It’s not what we wanted. We wanted three points, but what I want and this what fans and players should want is for them to give their all in every game they play and that’s what they did today.
It was another impressive display from Forest, although goalkeeper Mats Selz was forced into action several times in the second half to keep out. Who And Cody Steel.
Asked if he considered Forest to be genuine title contenders, Slot replied: “I don’t think they’re here by luck. For every team, they’re difficult to play against. They’ve already had tough away games, against (Manchester) United, (Man) City, Arsenal, us.
“It shows that this is a team that can compete at the top of the table.”
Slot’s opponent felt the same way about his surprise package performance Forest Side and applauded the fans for the “special atmosphere” they created that night.
“Tonight was a lesson for us, because this is how we want to compete,” Nuno said. “I’m very proud of the way we played.
“Tonight, there was a special atmosphere. I’m not looking at the rankings at this stage, we have to continue.”
