Nottingham Forest

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, PA Media

Ex-Nottingham Forest defender Wes Morgan believes current boss Nuno Espirito Santo has similarities to his title-winning Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri in how they take the heat off their players - despite their vastly different styles.

Italian Ranieri grabbed the headlines by comparing his side to the Royal Air Force because of their speed in attack and his 'dilly ding, dilly dong' phrase when ringing an imaginary bell to keep his players focused.

At Christmas 2015, he bought the squad and staff bells as a joke. Forest boss Nuno has a different style, preferring to play their situation down and refusing to engage about the club's title chances.

But Morgan feels both styles are able to aid the players, as shown by Nuno leading Forest to second in the Premier League.

"I'm not sure if Nuno has got those one liners that Claudio liked to say," Morgan said. "He comes across as very calm - I'd say probably a bit quiet and does his job.

"He's a very focused character that will do the job and is not really going to be too outspoken in that sense, where, Claudio was a media favourite because of his one-liners and his character in interviews. He would always take the headlines."

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest's solid defence this season was on display once again on Tuesday evening, providing the foundation for an excellent performance in a 1-1 draw with league leaders Liverpool.

Forest had just 29% possession and produced 0.39 expected goals to their opponent's 1.95 but still emerged with a deserved point.

Co-commentator on TNT Sport's live broadcast of the match Steve McManaman was torn between awarding the player-of-the-match award to central defender Murillo or goalkeeper Mats Sels.

Sels made a string of fine saves but McManaman ended up opting for Murillo who made 17 clearances - the most blocks or clearances made by a player in a Premier League match since the 2016-17 season.

Sels himself now has a save percentage of 75.9% - the second-most in the division behind Bournemouth's Mark Travers who has only made five appearances - and his 63 saves is fifth among the league's goalkeepers.

His nine clean sheets continues to be the best in the league above David Raya and Jordan Pickford on seven. Forest fan Sarah Brown perhaps summed it up when she told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast that Sels has been "the best keeper in the Premier League this season".

The rest of Nuno Espirito Santo's backline also play their part with right-back Ola Aina making a vital goal line clearance late on and Murillo's central defensive partner Nikola Milenkovic typically winning all three of his aerial duels.

Meanwhile, Neco Williams was his usual energetic self to keep Mohamed Salah in check on a big night for him personally against the team he joined as a six-year-old in 2007.

Forest have now stopped the opposition from scoring a first-half goal in 15 of their 21 games, more than any other team in the Premier League this season. This illustrate how they lay solid foundations in how they start matches.

Saveena Johal
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The Forest-Liverpool fixture is etched into our history. Thankfully, this season has given us a worthy shot at rediscovering the glory days - including going head to head with Liverpool once again.

Last night, the City Ground lights provided a perfect backdrop to revel in and revive our rivalry. Although the pressure was largely on the current league leaders, there is a different form of pressure on us. After all, having beaten them at Anfield this season and - given our current form - what was stopping us?

The match itself did not disappoint. Matz Sels proved his worth as the best keeper in the Premier League, and Neco Williams kept Mohamed Salah at bay for the whole match.

That's without even touching on Elliot Anderson, Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic.

Coming away from this season's games with Liverpool unbeaten and with our heads held high is a strong statement. Gaining another point from them helps with momentum, especially as they are likely the strongest team we will face this campaign.

Being second in the league feels surreal but, then again, perhaps it should not given the work rate and talent in the squad.

For now, we're largely focused on enjoying the ride without pressure. Securing Champions League football feels like a realistic aim, but celebrating the performances and successes of recent months feels sweeter than we could have imagined this time last season.

There are no limits to what we can achieve.

Find more from Saveena at Punjabi Forest, external

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Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison believes Nottingham Forest "will finish in the Champions League spots" after holding Liverpool to a draw on Tuesday.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side are the only team to beat the leaders in the league this season and proved to be stubborn challengers again.

"Nottingham Forest have definitely got title ambitions," said Morrison on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "To hold the best team in the league is a fantastic result.

"Liverpool came on strong in the last 10 minutes and you have to stick together. To get four points off the team who are probably going to win the league is brilliant.

"It tells us that the title race is still open and other teams will struggle here [at The City Ground].

"Off the evidence shown in that game, Forest will finish in the Champions League spots."

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

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

Peter: Superb in the first half, wilted in the second versus a relentless Liverpool team. Shame it was such a soft goal to concede but a draw is certainly decent. Superb atmosphere as well.

John: Outstanding organisation, effort and flair in attack. There are so many key players all playing for each other. Elliot Anderson is a bit of an unsung hero. Don't know why Newcastle let him go but thank you!

Doug: A good result for both teams. In a strange way, as a Forest fan, it is a new era feeling a bit disappointed not coming away with the win. Well done, you Reds.

Liverpool fans

Ken: Slot has done very little wrong since taking the helm, but while he prefers a more measured approach, it is repeatedly throwing up these tepid first halves. The tempo is woefully slow and the passing laborious. It allows the opposition to stay compact. Credit for the eventual changes in the second half, which paid instant dividends and completely changed the flow of the game.

Yusuf: It was a game that was a tactical battle in the first half and an absolute cracker in the second. We knew that it would be difficult to score, but our build-up play was good. Wasn't to be Mohamed Salah or Luis Diaz's day, but a step in the right direction. Being able to not get beaten, even if it is a draw, has set Liverpool apart from others this season, particularly against the teams near us at the top. A well-deserved draw for both teams in the end.

Lewis: The games are getting harder week by week. I don't think it was great but another hard-won point. I'd give 7/10 for the performance.