Nottingham Forest

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  1. 'Nuno has been given the tools to do what we did on Saturday'published at 12:32 17 September 2024

    Pat Riddell
    Fan writer

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    Callum Hudson OdoiImage source, Getty Images

    It is easy to get lost in the euphoria of Saturday. Somehow Nottingham Forest had gone 55 years without winning at Anfield - and yet we shouldn’t really focus too much on beating Liverpool in their own back yard.

    Yes, it is a landmark. Yes, it is a long-standing record. Yes, not so long ago our bogey grounds were places like Barnsley and Rotherham. And yes, we should definitely celebrate it and enjoy it.

    But the underlying story is the circumstances that made this possible. The gradual progression of a club that some people (again) had down for relegation at the start of the season - make no mistake, avoiding the drop is still our first goal for 2024-25 - and the mission to be winning away at other grounds nobody is expecting us to get anything from.

    In our first season back in the Premier League we lost 6-0 at Manchester City and 5-0 at Arsenal. Last season, the results were a lot more competitive in most games, if not closer. But beating the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham is now something we have done in recent years.

    And I have no doubt owner Evangelos Marinakis would concur that if we are to further progress, then the mentality must not be that of a plucky, small club feeding off scraps, but of a club that deserves to be at the top table with results to match.

    The strategic transfer window this summer, and keeping the core of the squad together, has given the manager Nuno Espirito Santo the tools to do what we did on Saturday.

    Being able to carry out a gameplan that involved being solid in midfield, before bringing on players with the quality of matchwinner Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga, proves the strength in depth we have now as well as the understanding and unity throughout the team.

    Of course, the fact remains that Liverpool rarely lose at home - and this season it was finally our turn.

    Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

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  2. Sutton predicts 'comfortable mid-table' finishpublished at 12:18 17 September 2024

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    Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes Nottingham Forest will be a "mid-table team" this season, as the Reds continued their unbeaten Premier League start with an "impressive" performance against Liverpool.

    Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton said: "To be able to bring players of that quality off the bench - who are game changers - is a massive positive.

    "They now have strength and depth in the squad, but it has taken some building and it has cost Nottingham Forest a lot of money to assemble their squad.

    "I think they will be a comfortable mid-table team this season, on the basis of one game at Liverpool, but their performance was that impressive."

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  3. 'Nuno's reputation has been unduly affected by that unhappy stint at Spurs'published at 09:48 17 September 2024

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    The Monday Night Club panel were full of praise for Nottingham Forest and head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after Saturday's fine win over Liverpool at Anfield continued their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

    "They have plenty of options, a better squad, a stronger squad," said former Newcastle United and Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given.

    "How many opposition managers do you see go to Anfield, it's 0-0 after an hour and they're putting on an extra midfielder and shutting up the shop with an extra defender ? He's gone: 'Hang on, I can smell something here, something even more successful.'

    "He thought: 'We can make history today. I'm going to roll the dice.' He put two quick wingers on and tried and win the game. He deserves so much credit because so many managers, from so many different clubs, go to the big clubs and are happy with a draw. He's thought the opposite and went and won the game."

    After guiding Forest to safety last season despite a four point deduction, New York Times journalist Rory Smith believes Nuno can bring similar success to that which he brought to Wolves during his four years at Molineux.

    "To an extent, Nuno's reputation has been unduly affected by that short, unhappy stint at Spurs," added Smith. "Nuno did really, really well at Wolves. He's taken a team that wasn't dissimilar in terms of the squad to Forest.

    "The way he made Wolves a well-established Premier League team was making them hard to beat, solid with two or three injections of real quality. And if you look at Forest, there's that similar sort of blueprint.

    "Nuno is a really good manager at getting those sorts of teams results and I wonder if we've forgotten that a little bit because it didn't work out for him at Spurs."

    Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

    Forest fans, what do you think has made the difference so far this season?

    We want to know your thoughts - is it Nuno's management, the summer transfer business, good fortune or something else?

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  4. Nuno's squad 'lightyears ahead' of Cooper's promotion team - Hodgepublished at 15:11 16 September 2024

     Nuno Espirito Santo celebrates the victory over LiverpoolImage source, Getty Images

    Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Steve Hodge says Nuno Espirito Santo's current squad is "lightyears ahead" of the one managed by Steve Cooper in the promotion season of 2022-23.

    Forest continued their impressive unbeaten start by stunning Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday with substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi scoring a fine winner off the bench.

    "That team at the end had me thinking," Hodge told BBC Radio Nottingham post-match. "People liked the promotion team that got up under Steve Cooper but I thought that this team against Liverpool is lightyears ahead of that team in terms of maturity, experience, strength, power, speed off the bench, centre forwards.

    "The squad in general is packed with young-ish but very experienced players who know the game really well.

    "When you win at Anfield after 55 years you enjoy the moment. Whether by hook or by crook or by luck sometimes, the odd team has come here and won.

    "Forest's win wasn't about luck. It was by planning, organisation and team spirit to dig in at the end. The subs coming on made a difference, the wide players were quick, direct and both involved in the goal that mattered.

    "It was the perfect away performance."

    When asked if it was the most impressive display since Forest's return to the Premier League, Hodge added: "By a country mile.

    "To come here and keep a clean sheet when they've got a new manager, three wins out of three and are flying.

    "You can nick a win anywhere but it was about how they won. It was comfortable."

    Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

  5. 'Forest will already be looking higher than avoiding relegation'published at 11:44 16 September 2024

    Chief football writer Phil McNulty byline banner

    BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

    David asked: Phil, have the pundits underestimated how well Forest will do this season given the noticeable improvement in the quality of the squad?

    Phil replied: Hello, David. I may have been one of the guilty ones you mentioned. I tipped them to finish 16th in my pre-season predictions but they will already be looking much higher.

    They were excellent at Liverpool on Saturday and looked like a side very much in the Nuno Espirito Santo mould from his Wolves days.

    They are solid at the back, where Murillo is a class act, while Morgan Gibbs-White is another fine operator in midfield with players such as Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga giving Forest the pace and width Nuno likes, making them dangerous on the counter attack.

    James Ward-Prowse brings experience and quality to midfield while Alex Moreno is dependable at left-back. Elliot Anderson is another smart signing from Newcastle United.

    It’s been a great start and a real platform to build on.

  6. 'Nuno could not have asked for any more from his team'published at 10:44 16 September 2024

    Nuno Image source, Getty Images

    Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Nottingham Forest were "spot-on" everywhere on the pitch to get a win against a strong Liverpool side.

    "It was perfect tactics and everything worked how it was supposed to," Reo-Coker said on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily Podcast. "I look at this Forest side and they are now a consistent staple-side in the Premier League. They are becoming a team that are tough to face.

    "Nuno could not have asked for any more from his team and to get a result at Anfield you have to be perfect. That was what they were.

    "It is hard to even be critical of Liverpool because they didn't play bad. Forest were just spot on!"

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  7. Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest: The fans' verdictpublished at 08:27 16 September 2024

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    We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Liverpool fans

    Geoffrey: Did anyone other than Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz break a sweat? Not quick or intelligent enough to see movement or find the right players. Far too slow in everything. Mohamed Salah - learn to pass properly. Awful display!

    Vardon: An all too familiar scene played out in front of a frustrated home crowd, reminding all Liverpool fans that just tweaking things with the existing squad won't guarantee a win against well drilled and disciplined 'lesser' opponents. Poor passing and little creativity in the final third led to an exasperating spectacle. Time to reflect and adapt.

    Fraser: What on earth happened to that patient style of play that helped us win our first three games? The moment we conceded we went into full panic mode, just as we did towards the end of last season. Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai were just not on point. It's still early days but I hope this is not the start of a slump.

    Forest fans

    Chris: Executed to absolute perfection. Perhaps Liverpool were unlucky not to get the lead but huge credit to Nuno Espirito Santo for not trying to drag out a draw. This demonstrates the huge leaps we are making. Going for a win with 15 minutes to go at Anfield? Unheard of.

    Brian: Fully deserved win. Liverpool ran out of ideas and got outbattled in the middle of the park. We had the clearer chances second half and were always a danger on the break. Much more mature in final moments too - gamesmanship and professionalism. All subs were switched on and solid. Well played.

    Graham: Our backline was tighter than my brother - and believe me, he is tight. I would love to wax lyrical about the Reds but we need a striker. Chris Wood is not the answer. Also, Salah had a bad game and how often do you say that?

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  8. Forest's Anfield win 'was no fluke'published at 07:44 16 September 2024

    Liverpool's Mohamed Salah chases Nottingham Forest's Alex Moreno in possessionImage source, Getty Images

    Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer spoke on Match of the Day about Nottingham Forest's performance against Liverpool on Saturday:

    "They were absolutely magnificent from start to finish. They had a gameplan and it worked to perfection.

    "You've got to be almost perfect when you come to Anfield, especially with the form that Liverpool are in - and Forest were. There was just no way through, no gaps or spaces in the midfield. They were really tight and compact and Liverpool just got frustrated with how well Forest were playing.

    "There was no way through for [Mohamed] Salah against [Alex] Moreno, and on the other side with [Luis] Diaz and [Ola] Aina.

    "They [the defenders] were fighting with each other to close Liverpool down and get in the way.

    "This was no fluke, - this was absolutely deserved. What a win, and a great start to the season."

    Catch up on Saturday's Match of the Day episode here

  9. Did you know?published at 18:20 14 September 2024

    Nuno Espirito Santo celebrates a Nottingham Forest goalImage source, Getty Images

    Nottingham Forest secured their first away top-flight win against Liverpool since February 1969, ending their 25-game winless run at Anfield in league competition.

    Nuno Espirito Santo secured his first ever Premier League victory against Liverpool, having lost all seven meetings with the Reds coming into today’s game.

  10. 'We spoke about coming on and making a difference'published at 17:34 14 September 2024

    Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Ooi celebrate after a goal against LiverpoolImage source, Getty Images

    Anthony Elanga spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after Nottingham Forest's victory against Liverpool: "We come here to Liverpool and not many teams can beat them and play the way we did - we got rewarded with it at the end.

    "This game reminded of the game we played at Chelsea [Chelsea 0-1 Nottingham Forest], it's a special win today.

    "Me and Callum [Hudson-Odoi] spoke about it on the bench - 'when we come on we would make a difference'.

    "We have started the season well, but we have still got 35 games left - we have to go game-by-game.

    "Last season we played the big sides and played well, it was marginal difference and they were clinical - today we were clinical."

    Callum Hudson-Odoi spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Saturday's win: "Everyone's morale is up, we are confident going into every game. We know in our heads the mentality has to be right and we are doing that as a team. The camp is good.

    "I didn't start but I wasn't angry or disappointed, I am buzzing, we are all buzzing. It's nice to get the goals but it's just the start of the season and I can keep getting more."

  11. 'The team needed fresh legs and they played well'published at 17:27 14 September 2024

    Nuno Espirito Santo managing Nottingham ForestImage source, Getty Images

    Nuno Espirito Santo spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after Nottingham Forest's victory over Liverpool: "Realising Liverpool are such a good team it required a lot of effort from the players, the organisation, tackling and the covers.

    "The only way to achieve anything here is if you are organised and do everything that you can.

    "When you start the way we started with our wingers, Neco Williams and Elliot Anderson - all the effort of them tracking Liverpool's full-backs it is a lot of energy.

    "The team needed fresh legs and they played well.

    "We are working hard and it is about building and believing in this idea that you can develop."

  12. Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest: Nuno bravery pays offpublished at 17:13 14 September 2024

    Emlyn Begley
    BBC Sport journalist at Anfield

    NunoImage source, Getty Images

    Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo deserves huge credit for their start to the season.

    All the talk was of Liverpool's unbeaten start under Slot - but Forest had not lost a Premier League game either.

    And now they are the unbeaten ones.

    Their first-half performance was solid and unspectacular. They frustrated Liverpool but did not have a single shot before the break.

    Nuno's bravery swung the game Forest's way. He brought on Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga when the temptation might have been to shore things up - and it paid off.

    Elanga found Hudson-Odoi for the goal.

    Forest players went to celebrate with their fans at the end of their first win at Anfield since the first man landed on the Moon.

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  13. Follow Saturday's Premier League games livepublished at 11:49 14 September 2024

    Southampton v Manchester United, Brighton v Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace v Leicester City, Fulham v West Ham United, Liverpool v Nottingham Forest, Manchester City v Brentford, Aston Villa v Everton, Bournemouth v Chelsea

    There are eight Premier League games on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction throughout the day.

    All time are BST

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