Thank you for joining us today.

The big news is that Nuno Espirito Santo has been confirmed as the new Nottingham Forest head coach, replacing Steve Cooper, and he has spoken to the media at the City Ground.

We've also heard from Roy Hodgson, Chris Wilder and Roberto de Zerbi as the build-up to the next round of Premier League fixtures got under way.

You can follow tonight's Carabao Cup quarter-final between Liverpool and West Ham here from around 18:30 GMT.

That's all from us for today but we'll be back tomorrow morning with reaction to that game, further build-up to the Premier League weekend and much more.

Do join us again for that and, in the meantime, here are a couple of bits from the football index for you to enjoy:

• Earps wants to 'change the world' after SPOTY win
• Troy of the Rovers - Deeney named Forest Green boss
• The derby between clubs 125 miles apart

The draw for the Carabao Cup semi-finals will be made on Wednesday, once the fourth quarter-final between Liverpool and West Ham United has ended.

The semi-final first legs will be played during week beginning 8 January, with the second legs taking place in week beginning 22 January.

The winners of those last-four ties will progress to the final at Wembley on Sunday, 25 February.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez is "full of fire" and cannot be judged only on goals, says assistant boss Pep Lijnders.

The Uruguay international signed from Benfica for an initial £64m in 2022 and scored 15 goals for the Reds last term.

Nunez, 24, has seven this term but is 10 games without a goal as the Reds host West Ham in Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final - his last strike came on 1 November in the 2-1 EFL Cup fourth-round win at Bournemouth.

"Darwin is playing a much better season than last year," Lijnders said. "If we only judge players on the goals that would be so unfair, because when we reach our targets, it is always about the collective.

"I feel there is a good connection between Mo [Salah] and Darwin, the way they see each other, assist each other. The way he defends for the team, goes, chases back, his counter press as well.

"He helps us a lot when we are deep and we can play with him as a reference. He is learning but I like him a lot, and I think this guy is full of fire. That's what our stadium likes and that's what we need as well, to lead the line in this way. He can only become better."

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham assistant manager Billy McKinlay is confident the Irons have what it takes to progress to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup for the first time in a decade.

"Success and winning gives you a couple of things - it makes you hungry for more and it gives you a feeling that you're capable of doing it and being successful and winning things," McKinlay said.

"I think that's been the case for our good run in the Europa League and we've done the business there.

"We're in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup so we're in a good place at the moment, we're hungry and looking to improve on that."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool, who won their first League Cup in 1981 after a replay against the Hammers, are aiming to reach their 14th final and claim a 10th success.

They will be without the injured Alexis Mac Allister, Joel Matip, Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota for the visit of David Moyes' side, although Ryan Gravenberch, who was substituted in Sunday's goalless Premier League draw with Manchester United, is fit for selection.

Illnesses in the West Ham camp mean the selection of certain players may be made late as they look for only their second victory at Anfield in 60 years.

Injured forward Michail Antonio also remains absent.

Today marks four years since Mikel Arteta began his reign as Arsenal boss.

Second last season, top of the Premier League at the minute - not doing a bad job, is he?

And yep, we are thumb-baiting here...

Image source, BBC Sport

Right then, Nuno has reintroduced himself to the media and will have a chance to show the supporters what he can do when he takes charge of Nottingham Forest for the first time on Saturday against Bournemouth.

There is plenty of football to be played before that, though. Not least the last Carabao Cup quarter-final at Anfield tonight.

We'll get to that momentarily but first, there's an anniversary to acknowledge...

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo on squad size: "In terms of numbers, I have to be honest with you, I never managed a squad of 30 players. That part is a challenge for us also.

"For the players, it is a new chance for everybody. It is a chance for players who didn't play before. My door is open for everybody. What I want is everybody committed so we have more options and are stronger."

On working with Morgan Gibbs-White and Willy Boly again: "It helped today having players that we have already managed and know our philosophy.

"I'm happy to meet them again. Morgan is a father now, he is a man. We met him when he was 16 years old. Boly the same, it is great to have them back."

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo on Bournemouth: "It's going to be tough, they've improved a lot recently so we expect a tough game.

"But we play at the City Ground and the help of our fans is going to be very important."

On Forest so far this season: "To compete in Premier League is very hard. We know that, you know that.

"Forest started well but then for different situations things didn't go well which is why I'm here.

"We have a squad that needs to become better but I'm happy with what we have. What I saw today gives me assurance that we are in a good way in terms of happiness."

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo on replacing such a popular manager: "It's fair, what Steve [Cooper] did here at Forest is amazing. Getting them back in Premier League and keeping them here.

"It is normal and shows how good the Forest fans are, the respect they have for Steve even though things didn't go well [recently]."

On his biggest challenge: "Play good and win, this is the biggest challenge we have ahead of us. It's a huge challenge.

"What we can bring is that I will try to improve players and give them the solutions they need to compete well, starting on Saturday."

Nottingham Forest

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo on potential transfers: "The only ones that can and should improve things are here now.

"What I expect is the players here in the building to solve the situation then we think about the situation. But now it is the players here that are important.

"I only focus on tomorrow now. We have a training session tomorrow to prepare to play a tough team in Bournemouth."

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo: "We didn't mark ourselves big expectations, just a day to day process. What Steve [Cooper] did here was huge, getting Forest back in the Premier League. We are trying to improve this legacy, which is amazing."

On past experiences: "We learn everything, every day. They are different situations. What we did in Wolves is totally different to what happened at Tottenham. Saudi Arabia was totally new for me. In life we always learn and I'll try to use that to help Forest now and help the players become better."

Something to prove?: "We have to prove ourselves everyday in football. As coaches, managers, players, everybody, it is constant pressure to prove [yourself]. Maybe not prove but what I expect is to help, try to transmit my knowledge to the players so they can become a better team."

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo: "It feels great. Big chance and I'm very honoured, it's a pleasure to be at Forest and manage such a great club with great history. I'm delighted.

"I just arrived yesterday, very late but we had a good training session today and more important is the knowledge, the chance to be with the players personally, getting to know them and them to know me and my coaching staff.

"We have a lot to improve but we are motivated to do it. I found a good atmosphere and now we have to engage to improve our situation."

Right then, it's time to hear from the new Nottingham Forest boss.

Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media for the first time since replacing Steve Cooper at the City Ground...

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton & Hove Albion

Roberto De Zerbi on teenage striker Evan Ferguson, who has scored one goal in his past 11 games:

"For young players, you can expect different type of performances. There is a time when they play very well, they score, but in a different moment they can suffer the level of competition.

"I think in the last two months Evan suffered from injury, other things I don't know - but he can play better and the level of Evan is higher than he is playing in the moment.

"But we can help him. He has to help himself first of all, to understand better the play. But he is very young, like my son, and if I can, I try everything to help him because he will become a great player for sure."

Brighton & Hove Albion

Roberto De Zerbi on whether a win at Palace will help him celebrate Christmas happier:

“Christmas is not in my head – in my head is Crystal Palace and Tottenham and West Ham.

"You can analyse the situation - we could have more points on the table, around six I think, and for that I'm disappointed with the last results, especially at home.

"We need to win two or three games in a row to recover what we lost."

Brighton & Hove Albion

Roberto De Zerbi on opposition boss Roy Hodgson:

"He is a doing a great job in results and also performances - they lost against Liverpool but they played very well, they got a point at the Etihad and we know the level of difficulty of that game.

"They are playing very well and he [Hodgson] is doing a very good job."