Slot’s super-subs earn Liverpool vital point in draw with Forest
If Liverpool are to claim the Premier League title this season, it will likely be their squad depth and the potency of their forward options that propel them to success.
In a tense encounter against a spirited Nottingham Forest side, Liverpool faced mounting frustration. Trailing, low on ideas, and struggling to unlock a resolute defense, their star trio of Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, and Cody Gakpo found little joy on the night. With the team in dire need of inspiration, manager Arne Slot turned to Diogo Jota, whose impact was immediate. The Portuguese forward found the net with his first involvement, reigniting Liverpool’s push for a comeback. Though they ultimately settled for a draw, the result maintained Forest’s position as a distant contender in the title race—a remarkable feat for the traditionally underdog “Tricky Trees.” The stalemate, however, offered a glimmer of hope for Arsenal in their chase to close the gap.
For Arsenal, the sight of Liverpool calling on a player of Jota’s caliber off the bench must have been a sobering reminder of the value of squad depth. Speaking to TNT Sports, Arne Slot reflected on the importance of such substitutions. “You need a bit of luck with changes,” he remarked. “We know Jota can score, and Kostas [Tsimikas] delivers excellent set-pieces. Their goalkeeper made some incredible saves, and their defenders blocked almost everything. Not many teams can create as many chances as we did against such a defensively strong opponent, but unfortunately, we couldn’t find the second goal.”
Slot highlighted the challenges posed by Forest’s tactics, explaining, “Every time you win possession, you face 11 men behind the ball. They kick it long, and you must win the second ball before breaking through their low block. Their defenders and goalkeeper performed exceptionally well.”
Despite the draw, Slot expressed satisfaction with Liverpool’s second-half performance. “We were better than the last time we played Forest, which wasn’t difficult since we created very few chances then. Today, we created a lot more. Winning in the second half of the season is harder, but if we maintain these kinds of performances, draws like this will turn into wins.”
Diogo Jota, the hero of the night, shared his thoughts after the match: “I love scoring goals, and to do so with my first touch gave the team momentum. I had two more chances that could’ve secured the three points, but unfortunately, I couldn’t convert. Credit to Forest—they defended well.”
Elsewhere in the league, Forest’s commendable draw kept them second in the table, while Liverpool remained six points clear at the top with a game in hand.
The other results of the night included:
- Brentford 2-2 Manchester City
- Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
- West Ham 3-2 Fulham
The title race remains wide open, but Liverpool’s resilience and bench strength might give them the edge in the months to come.
Slot’s super-subs earn Liverpool vital point in draw with Forest
