Liverpool must keep their cool as the Premier League title race tightens

NOTTINGHAM, England — Arne Slot is no stranger to being posted on the sidelines. The Liverpool boss, beloved at former club Feyenoord Rotterdam, has quickly become accustomed to hearing supporters at Anfield – and away ends up and down the country – singing his praises from the terraces as his side have so masterfully swept almost everyone ahead you. .

But on Tuesday night it was the Nottingham Forest fans who made the Castle the object of their attention as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side struggled to halt their visitors’ march to the Premier League title, holding Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at the City Ground.

“Arne Slot, it’s happening again!” crowed the Skov fans Chris Wood scored his 13th league goal of the season to give the hosts the lead inside eight minutes. Indeed, for more than an hour of this contest it looked as if Forest were about to inflict Liverpool’s second league defeat of the season, having also dispatched Castle’s men at Anfield in September.

That Liverpool fought back to claim a valuable point, secured via a 66th-minute header from Diogo Jotais a testament to both the character and quality of the reds. However, Tuesday night’s epic at The City Ground offered further proof – if it was needed – that there are still many more twists and turns in this title race.

If, on the eve of this Premier League season, this game had been billed as a potential title decider, few would have been likely to notice. After all, Forest ended last term in 17th place, just six points outside the relegation zone.

It is for this reason that September’s shock triumph at Anfield caused such a stir, with even Slot admitting that Liverpool’s conquerors that day “don’t usually finish in the top 10.” But that win has since proved to be more than a flash in the pan, with Forest continuing to impress and defying expectations to climb up to second in the table.

A win against the league leaders on Tuesday would have seen Forest move to within three points of top spot, and perhaps that prospect weighed heavily on Castle’s players as they toiled on the banks of the River Trent.

Admittedly, it has not been a particularly good New Year for Liverpool. After bidding farewell to 2024 with a statement win against strugglers West Ham United, the first two weeks of 2025 have seen cracks in the Reds’ previously impenetrable armour.

Liverpool’s 4-0 win over League Two side Accrington Stanley at the weekend was their first victory since the turn of the year following a pulsating draw with Manchester United in the league and a narrow defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the Carabao Cup. semi-finals.

Against Forest, all the early signs seemed to point to Liverpool’s descent into a mini-crisis as a combination of poor decision-making and erratic finishing meant Castle’s side went into the interval without registering a single shot on target.

Liverpool improved slightly after the break, but it wasn’t until Slot turned to the bench that his side were able to break through. The introduction of Jota and Kostas Tsimikasinstead of Ibrahima Konaté and Andy Robertson, proved to be a championship as Liverpool leveled just 22 seconds after the substitution; Jota was heading home from Tsimikas’ corner.

After that, Slot’s side looked to have regained some of the swagger that has defined much of their season to date, with only interventions from an inspired Matz Sels in the Forest goal and some admirable defenders keeping Liverpool at bay.

“I couldn’t have asked for more today,” admitted Slot in his post-match press conference. “I think most people would talk really positively about the second half, but when you play at this ground against this team who are in such good form, who hardly concede a chance in every game and have so many counter-attacking threats. .We only conceded one counter attack today in 98 minutes of football.

While those of a Forest persuasion might beg to differ from Slot’s claim, Liverpool’s second-half display at least ensures they maintain their six-point cushion at the top of the table. The league leaders no longer seem infallible, but a look at the rest of Tuesday night’s results is irrefutable proof that they don’t have to be.

Both Manchester City and Chelsea dropped points, while Arsenal, who face bitter rivals Tottenham on Wednesday, have also seen some of their best in recent weeks with the striker. Gabriel Jesus now to join the stricken talisman Bukayo Saka on the sidelines.

Forest, of course, remain a threat, having proved on Tuesday that they are capable of going toe-to-toe with the very best.

“I don’t think they’re here because of luck,” Slot admitted. “For every team, they are difficult to play against. They have had some difficult away games already, against United, City, Arsenal, us. It shows you that they are a team that can compete at the top end of the league table.”

But while Forest and Co. will continue to apply pressure, Liverpool will simply have to look to keep their heads. It may not be the procession to the title that seemed to be taking shape just a few weeks ago, but for now at least, Castle’s side remain firmly in the driver’s seat.