'An amazing kind of relationship' - Woan on Dychepublished at 15:56 GMT
15:56 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
Former Nottingham Forest winger and current assistant manager Ian Woan has been speaking about his history with the club's boss Sean Dyche.
Woan told the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast that their friendship is very close and "well outside the football realm", adding: "I first met him in 1990 [at Forest] when we were both in digs for six months. I then bought a house and the gaffer lived with me for five or six years. It was good times.
"Stoney [Steve Stone, fellow assistant to Dyche] also came to live with us for about a month but we couldn't have the three of us together - it was too much carnage!
"We have been best mates since then and I was his best man. It is an amazing kind of relationship. It is different now, but you never lose the fact of who the gaffer is. There is a lot of plusses and the trust there is incredible. He knows if he isn't around, he can delegate to me and Steve. The word is still getting out and he can trust it."
'We can start looking up the table'published at 08:47 GMT
08:47 GMT
Pat Riddell Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Defeating this season's Liverpool is not quite the same as defeating the 2024-25 all-conquering Liverpool. Although this season's Nottingham Forest are not quite last campaign's swashbuckling Nottingham Forest.
But still, back-to-back wins at Anfield for the first time since 1963. Our biggest ever win at Anfield. Our first clean sheet since April.
None of these things are to be sniffed at.
Sean Dyche was brought in to fix a broken club and the remit was clear: organise the defence, stop conceding from set pieces, start scoring from set pieces, win games, keep clean sheets, score goals… a pretty basic target, but Forest were failing at all of them.
Obviously it is still early days, but the confidence Saturday's historic win brings will make a big difference. The willingness to defend with all their might, to not even concede a yellow card, to stick to the gameplan and to comfortably attack at will is precisely where we need to be - the rest will follow.
There are clearly issues to resolve - which will start on Thursday in the Europa League reunion with Malmo - but balancing the squad in league and cup, getting the new players' form and understanding up to speed, and developing the tactics are things that will come with time.
For now, we can believe that Dyche will deliver results and we can start looking up the table, rather than over our shoulder. The bottom three might only be just behind us but, as I said last week, a few wins and other results going our way will dramatically affect the table.
It is just that nobody foresaw Liverpool sliding down while we picked up momentum.
'The winning spirit we had last season is coming back' published at 12:03 GMT 24 November
12:03 GMT 24 November
Image source, Getty Images
Nottingham Forest defender Murillo says a "winning spirit" is returning for the Reds.
Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham after a stellar 3-0 win at Liverpool, the Brazilian centre-back said: "The winning spirit we had last season is coming back. I am so happy, feeling very good and it's not just me, I think it is everyone.
"Because of the work we have done in the week, maybe it has changed our minds and it has given us confidence to play well, given confidence to the fans and staff and everyone.
"When we scored the goal, we feel more confident, but sometimes we lose our minds. So we talked with each other to stay calm, keep going, and that's what we did.
"The second half was the most important part of the game. When we played well in the second half, everything went well."
'Could have & maybe should have been four' - fan viewspublished at 09:09 GMT 24 November
09:09 GMT 24 November
Media caption,
Forest put on brilliant display to beat a deflated Liverpool side
We asked for your thoughts on Nottingham Forest beating Liverpool and winning at Anfield in consecutive seasons.
Here are some of your comments:
Tony: Fantastic display inspired by the passion of a manager (and team) that wear the Forest shirt with pride. This passion and pride has quickly passed down to the players who have finally laid the previous manager's egotistical style to rest.
Jamie: Resolute defending and very little waste at the other end of the pitch. Sean Dyche has got the team doing the things that need doing, so the things we like to watch them do can come! Amazing.
Bogey: Well done to the boys. They are showing the talent. The mix of last season and new players is working. Stronger now than last season. Different threat. Onwards and upwards.
Malcolm: The talk is mainly about Liverpool playing poorly, but Forest were absolutely fantastic and yes, you can see Sean Dyche's trademark teams in action. I think also at last Sean has a real quality squad to work with, and hopefully Forest can keep it together.
Kris: The complete performance. Hard to pick a player of the match because they were brilliant from back to front. Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic were the bedrock, and Elliot Anderson just gets better and better.
Matt: Fantastic play. Bossed the midfield and were ruthless in the box. Could have and maybe should have been four.
Craig: What else can you say about a 3-0 win at Anfield? The players all worked for each other - passion and working as a unit were obvious to see. A true upgrade, with a manager who is probably living his dream at the moment. Continue like this till the end of the year and we will be back in the mix.
Gossip: Europe's elite circle for Murillopublished at 07:33 GMT 24 November
07:33 GMT 24 November
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has identified Nottingham Forest defender Murillo as a key defensive target, but the 23-year-old Brazilian is also attracting interest from Arsenal and Barcelona. (Caught Offside), external
How did Forest exploit Liverpool's weaknesses?published at 14:07 GMT 23 November
14:07 GMT 23 November
Umir Irfan Football tactics correspondent
Media caption,
Saturday's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest means Liverpool have now lost six of their past seven league games.
So how did Sean Dyche's tactics exploit the reigning champions weaknesses?
Forest opened the scoring by taking advantage of Liverpool's poor form from set-pieces this season.
For the second goal, Mohamed Salah's defensive contribution was exploited.
Although both the first and second goals don't appear too similar, two key themes arise.
Firstly, Salah lost track of his man for both goals as Liverpool aimed to defend in a man-to-man fashion. Secondly, space opened up for the scorer in front of a Liverpool defensive line that had dropped deep with no cover in front of it.
For Forest's third goal, a quick switch was played to find Omari Hutchinson in space on the wing.
Hutchinson received the ball facing the goal with time and space to carry it forwards with momentum.
Forest's physicality, ability to win second balls, and commitment to running off the ball and arrive in dangerous areas were key to them getting an impressive win.
Forest analysis: Dyche restores order in superb fashionpublished at 18:31 GMT 22 November
18:31 GMT 22 November
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Image source, Getty Images
Sean Dyche has wiped the 39-day nightmare of Ange Postecoglou's reign at Nottingham Forest from the memory banks of those fans who celebrated ecstatically at Anfield.
This was the Forest who were in Champions League contention for so long last season under Nuno Espirito Santo, and eventually secured a place in the Europa League - uncompromising and physical, but also laced with real talent and attacking danger that makes them such a threat.
Dyche was typically animated on the sidelines, but he was also clearly delighted with what he was seeing in front of him as Forest overpowered Liverpool to such an extent that there was never any hint of one of the comebacks that is an Anfield trademark.
Forest had all the Dyche hallmarks of power and organisation, but it would do them and him a grave disservice to suggest this was not a defeat that also contained some real quality, as you need to win at Liverpool.
Murillo was a rock in defence, as well as scoring a goal, while Ibrahim Sangare ruled midfield as the touches of class were applied by Elliott Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Igor Jesus also gave Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate an uneasy afternoon; the closing stages played out in the sort of subdued atmosphere of resignation rarely seen inside Anfield in recent years.
Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest: What Dyche and Gibbs-White said published at 18:23 GMT 22 November
18:23 GMT 22 November
Media caption,
Forest are 'learning quickly' - Dyche
Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche, speaking to BBC's Match of the Day: "We'd worked a lot with the players about what we can provide. After the Manchester City result, it gives them an edge. They came out of the blocks fast, and we had to defend well in the early parts of the game. You're not going to dominate the ball here, but we can in the shape.
"Great finish from Murillo, and the other goals were a great finish for different reasons. I don't know how the goal for Igor wasn't given, and then Omari goes close. Morgan with another great finish. He's playing with a smile on his face. It's great for the fans, and it's another step.
"Every manager has a style, and I have mine. I know what you need as a team. I will trust myself on that. They've shown an abundance of what we've been talking about over the last four weeks. It feels like four years."
Captain Morgan Gibbs-White, speaking to Premier League Productions: "I didn't expect it, but it's happened. I'm out there trying to help the team as much as possible. I thought the boys were brilliant today. Delighted we got the three points, but I hope we're out of the relegation zone.
"We felt comfortable even though we didn't have the ball. We were defensively secure, and that's credit to the boys and the manager. Delighted to get another goal, but we got a clean sheet and three points at Anfield, which is an incredible thing.
"They're still a great team with incredible individuals. When you're in a tough patch, we know it's hard to get out of it. We knew we'd have a chance, and it was about us being solid and taking our chance when we got it.
"When Sean Dyche came in, he made it clear the season starts now. He's been putting us to work, but we needed it to compete at the highest level. We've been running, running, running.
"Any game in the Premier League is difficult. We have to take it game by game."
Did you know?
Nottingham Forest were only the fourth visiting side to win a Premier League game at Anfield by a margin of 3+ goals, after Chelsea in October 2005 (4-1), West Ham in August 2015 (3-0), and Man City in February 2021 (4-1).
Nottingham Forest have won away to Liverpool in back-to-back league seasons for the first time since 1962-63/1963-64. They had only won one of their previous 30 league visits to Anfield before 2024-25.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Nottingham Forest" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Man City", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Liverpool v Nottingham Forestpublished at 11:10 GMT 22 November
11:10 GMT 22 November
This is a hard one to call. Liverpool have lost seven of their past 10 matches, but could they be one of the teams who benefit from the international break?
Forest beat them at Anfield last season - I was there for Radio 5 Live - but that was under Nuno, and they are yet to win anywhere on the road in this campaign.
I don't see that changing this weekend, either. Sean Dyche has picked up some points at the City Ground since he took over as Forest boss at the end of October, but they are meek away from home and I don't see them keeping Liverpool out.
Liverpool have to click sooner or later, and if their attack gets going here then they could overpower my boyhood club.
Mo Salah needs to come to the fore for Arne Slot's side, and so does Alexander Isak.
For someone who forced his move to Liverpool through in the summer, Isak has done very little for his new club so far.
Liverpool v Nottingham Forest: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:11 GMT 21 November
19:11 GMT 21 November
Jordan Butler BBC Sport journalist
Liverpool will be eager to get back on track when they host struggling Nottingham Forest this weekend. BBC Sport explores some of the key themes surrounding this match.
The title holders have lost five of their past six top-flight games, which is more defeats than they suffered in the entirety of last season, and only bottom side Wolves have a worse record in that time.
It is the most losses a reigning champion has endured at this stage of a Premier League campaign since Leicester City in 2016-17 and only three reigning champions have amassed fewer points from their opening 11 games than the Reds.
The last team to win an English top-flight title after collecting 18 points or fewer from their first 11 games were Everton in 1986-87, which, given they are neighbours, could be considered a good omen for Arne Slot's side.
Not all bad news for Liverpool
But it is not all doom and gloom for the Merseysiders. They are firmly on course for a top-eight finish in the Champions League and Anfield remains a stronghold.
Liverpool have won four of their five outings on home soil this term, losing the other, and that sole defeat by rivals Manchester United last month, painful as it was, is their only home loss in 22 league matches.
While the title might appear out of sight – with eight points the gap between them and Arsenal – they are just four points adrift of Manchester City in second.
Slot has said feels five defeats "is too many" and the "last thing we should think about now is the title race", but if any side can put a series of wins together, it is the current champions. It just has to start now.
Trees find it tricky away
Nottingham Forest are yet to win away this season in any competition, with a return of four draws and four defeats from their eight visits to opposition grounds.
However, despite that form, Forest can take heart from the fact they were the only team to win at Anfield in the Premier League last season. Their 1-0 victory in September 2024 was also the only top-flight match in which Liverpool failed to score.
Is Forest's attack starting to click?
The results have certainly improved during Sean Dyche's short tenure so far - he has picked up two wins, two draws and suffered just one defeat in his first five games.
Some notable attacking numbers have also increased and they have scored more goals, averaged more shots and have a higher expected goals total under Dyche than either of his predecessors, despite having fewer touches in the opposition box.
Attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is one of the players benefitting from the change of manager. "We had a bit of a chat with Morgan, nothing heavy," said Dyche in his pre-match press conference. "There was no breakthrough moment or anything like that – it was just about reminding him that he is a good player."
The 25-year-old has found the net in each of Forest's previous two Premier League games and he heads to Anfield vying to score in three successive league matches for the very first time.
Financial Fair Play rules in Premier League to change next seasonpublished at 18:10 GMT 21 November
18:10 GMT 21 November
Image source, Getty Images
The Premier League will from next season move to a new system of Financial Fair Play (FFP) based on squad costs.
The clubs met in London on Friday to vote on three possible methods of replacing Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) got 14 votes in favour and six against, which is the minimum number that is required to exact a rule change.
Overall squad costs from next season will have to be limited to 85% of a club's revenue, although teams competing in Europe will have to adhere to Uefa's maximum of 70%.
Squad costs comprise player and manager wages, transfer fees and agents' fees.
Rules around sustainability, which set out a club's financial spending plans over the medium and long term, were passed unanimously.
'A fascinating time to play Reds'published at 08:13 GMT 21 November
08:13 GMT 21 November
Image source, Getty Images
The Premier League returns on Saturday as Nottingham Forest travel to Liverpool in hope of another shock victory at Anfield like last season.
But there is no doubt it will be more challenging after Sean Dyche went in to Thursday's news conference with a hand-written injury list - an indication into just how many absentees Forest still have.
"It doesn't sound like any of them except Callum Hudson-Odoi are particularly close to a return," said Colin Fray on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast. "One or two are back on the grass but most of them are still working with the medical team.
"It looks like these injuries will drag on and Dyche is loathed to put any time scales on any of them.
"It is a bit of worry for Dyche that he has got fewer bodies to choose from, especially now the international break is out of the way because there was hope two or three might be back by now.
"It is a hectic period coming up as they play midweek for the next three weeks as well as at the weekends, so there is no rest-bite in the fixture list from now on.
"It was not really positive news."
Travelling to the reigning champions with a depleted squad does not sound like an easy feat but Forest fans can take some hope from the fact Liverpool went into the international break in poor league form.
"It is a fascinating time to go and play them," added Fray. "It is hard to work out why it has gone wrong for them having spent a lot of money in the summer to strengthen a title winning team but it just has.
"Yet when they can't put a run together in the Premier League they can beat Real and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield!
"If Alexander Isak is fit and plays then he will no doubt score because he always does against Forest and if we are to get anything from the game then we have to be as good as we were last season.
"Forest have got to do their best to make sure it is not on this day that Liverpool recover from their slump."
A pivotal moment for the Premier Leaguepublished at 17:11 GMT 20 November
17:11 GMT 20 November
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
One of potentially the biggest moments in English football is coming on Friday, but precious few people understand how important it could be or even know about it.
The Premier League is considering 'anchoring' wages, which would cap the amount any club could spend on their squad at five times the smallest central Premier League broadcasting and prize money payout.
It is a complex argument. The league and some clubs are considering it because they want to ensure wage inflation does not continue to rise endangering their long-term financial security. From the other side - the players and their union, the PFA - this unnaturally limits the amount they can earn in what has until now been a free and open market.
Any changes to that position foisted upon the players without their prior consultation and agreement will not go down well. Remember, the players are the people that the paying public, the TV companies and the advertisers want to see, not a bunch of chairmen, executives and directors arguing over accounts, dividends and profit margins.
The game has increased the number of games played per season without consulting those who are physically doing it. No studies on how that will affect their health in the short and long term were considered, and so the PFA in England looks like it is finally ready to take a strong stand for its members.
Strike ballots are not unknown, I should know, as chairman of the PFA my name was on the bottom of every ballot paper when we last considered strike action over changes in working conditions. The modern owners may have forgotten, but we had 99% backing from our members.
Owners may think of footballers as ultra wealthy, mercenary, thickos who can easily be controlled - well they thought that last time and they lost.
It is time for serious and meaningful negotiation between equals and not a master and serf attitude from one side towards the other.
Image source, Getty Images
