Post-match analysis: Sels’ heroics earn a crucial point for Forest against a formidable Liverpool attack

Sels's heroics earn a crucial point for Forest against Liverpool. (Image credits - FMT, License Details)

Liverpool and Nottingham Forest share a point each in an absolute Premier League thriller at the City Ground. The much-anticipated clash lived up to its expectations, with both teams causing each other problems with their intensity. However, both sides ended up scoring a goal each, walking away with a point each. The match ended with a scoreline of 1-1.

Unstoppable force meets an immovable object

Both Liverpool and Nottingham fiercely competed against each other, going toe to toe in almost every aspect. While the first half belonged to the hosts, the visitors came to life in the second half. Chris Wood’s opener within the first 10 minutes of the game was the best possible start for the dark horses in the Premier League title race. Despite seeing less of the ball, Forest kept up the pressure with relentless counterattacking, while Liverpool pushed for an equalizer

The Reds rose from their ruins post the hour mark, with Arne Slot’s masterclass paying off. The introductions of Diogo Jota and Kostinas Tsimikas had an instant impact as the duo combined to score the equalizer for Liverpool.

The goal completely changed the flow of the game as the Reds began their relentless attacking football in a desperate attempt to find a winner. However, the rigid Nottingham defence and goalkeeper Matz Sels’ heroics held on and kept Liverpool at bay.

Nuno’s incredible game plan to counter Arne Slot's Liverpool

Nottingham Forest had a brilliant approach, which actually looks like the best way to deal with Arne Slot’s relentless team. Forest defended deep in the first half, allowing the Liverpool high line to push forward.

Forest maintained their shape in the midfield brilliantly, with a triangle clearly visible almost throughout the game. The midfield trio created a roadblock, standing in front of the defence line. This forced Liverpool to play out from the wings, disrupting Slot’s ideal game plan to play from the midfield. When Slot’s men attacked from the wings, Gibbs-White would position himself slightly up the pitch, ready to launch counter attacks against a committed Liverpool team.

While Forest defended deep, they were not afraid of pressing Liverpool high up the pitch on several occasions during the game. One such incident caught the Reds out, which ended up with Chris Wood scoring the opener after an easy and sublime build-up.

Arne Slot's masterclass changed the run of play

Arne Slot’s masterclass at the hour mark was the point of difference for Liverpool. The introduction of Diogo Jota and Kostinas Tsimikas was a pivotal moment in the game. Not only did the duo instantly combine to score the equaliser, but their introductions created a much more attacking lineup for the Reds.

Liverpool before the 66th-minute changes - More wide with balanced positioning.

Liverpool after the 66th-minute changes - More central with advanced positioning further up the pitch.

Robertson and Konaté were taken while Gakpo and Diaz stayed on. This saw Gravenberch fill in as a centre-back, allowing more advanced players in the midfield to deal with Forest's roadblock. As a result, the Reds looked absolutely unstoppable during the last half an hour.

Liverpool had an XG of 1.52 with 13 shots, 7 of them being on target, post the 66th-minute changes. Matz Sels was Forest's hero, making 5 excellent saves to win a crucial point for Forest. The Forest defence also maintained their composure amidst the massive wave of Liverpool’s intense attacking football.