-Credit:Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
Liverpool dropped points for just the sixth time in the Premier League this season, drawing 1-1 with Nottingham Forest. Here’s how the UK national media reacted to the game with Diogo Jota’s second half goal proving decisive.
BBC: “Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis sat in front of his own personal giant television screen in the City Ground directors’ box glued to a night of pure Premier League theatre.
“Whether Marinakis’ gaze was fixed on the television or events unfolding on the pitch in front of him, he was watching the fulfilment of his burning ambition to have Forest punching above their weight with the top-flight superpowers, in this case Premier League leaders Liverpool.
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“This was a night that had everything — from a wonderful fiery atmosphere as Forest fans live the high life, to a brilliantly drilled defensive display from Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, only undone by a double substitution of genius from Liverpool head coach Arne Slot that almost turned defeat to victory.
“The end result was a 1-1 draw that left Liverpool six points clear of Forest with a game in hand, the Premier League’s surprise package demonstrating they fully deserve their place in the upper reaches of the table.”
Daily Mail: “This was a scare for Liverpool. Forest’s rope-a-dope tactics had bounced them into an early lead as their centre forward Chris Wood broke away to score. Liverpool, the league leaders, were rattled. They were unsure and anxious. Lots and lots of possession — 71 per cent of it by full-time — but for the first hour at least not a single shot on target.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot. -Credit:Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
“Substitute Diogo Jota changed that within 22 seconds of coming on. His header from a corner levelled the scores. And after that it was all Liverpool. Even so, Arne Slot’s team will be satisfied. They have to be.
“They didn’t lose and they easily could have. They were utterly without precision, calm or imagination up until the moment Jota scored. And, importantly, title rivals Chelsea and Manchester City — yes, them — failed to win their games.
“If Arsenal don’t beat Tottenham at the Emirates on Wednesday night then Liverpool will emerge from this cluster of fixtures with all things equal. Right now, that’s all that matters.”
The Times: “Fortune favours the brave. Just as Nottingham Forest were threatening to become Arne Slot’s Kryptonite once again, the Liverpool head coach delivered another of the in-game masterclasses that are defining his reign to reassert his side’s title credentials.
“Having watched his team perform insipidly for an hour, he withdrew two defenders in the 65th minute, asked Ryan Gravenberch to switch between centre back and midfield anchorman and sent on Diogo Jota among his changes.
Diogo Jota of Liverpool scores a goal to make it 1-1 during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at the City Ground in Nottingham, United Kingdom, on January 14, 2025. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“Just 22 seconds later, the forward had cancelled out Chris Wood’s opener for Forest and, were it not for the reflexes of Matz Sels, Jota might have had two more before the final whistle. Ola Aina also cleared a Mohamed Salah shot off the line.”
The Guardian: “Just when it seemed nothing was dropping for Liverpool in a captivating contest, Arne Slot turned to his substitutes’ bench midway through the second half and exhibited his seemingly golden touch.
“Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota entered, the former teeing up the latter at a corner to equalise courtesy of their first touches and keep Nottingham Forest, who continue to take great pleasure at gatecrashing the title race, at arm’s length.
“Even if it was an imperfect night for Liverpool, it felt a significant takeaway. Jota’s header was Liverpool’s first effort on target and the first goal Forest had conceded in more than 500 minutes.”
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. -Credit:Liverpool FC via Getty Images
The Telegraph: “If Liverpool are to win the Premier League title then it will be their power from the bench — and with their forward options — that will drive them there.
“It what threatened to be a long night for the league leaders away to a rampant Nottingham Forest it was 33 seconds that made the difference. That was the time between Arne Slot sending Diogo Jota and, also, Kostas Tsimikas onto the pitch and his team equalising to earn a precious point. And we know how Liverpool love a super-sub.
“Before Jota arrived Liverpool had 10 efforts on goal and not one of them on target. The 11th hit the net. After Jota’s introduction Liverpool’s shot count jumped to 23 with seven on target and he could have had a hat-trick — only to be denied by the brilliance of Matz Selz with two outstanding saves.”