Liverpool boss Slot insists Nottingham Forest are title contenders | OneFootball

Arne Slot has insisted Nottingham Forest are Premier League title contenders as Liverpool prepare to face Forest this week.

Liverpool make the trip to high-flying Forest on Tuesday evening in a clash that has taken on significance this season. The Reds lead the Premier League title race but Forest, who sit third after exceeding all expectations, can move within three points of the top with a win at the City Ground.

It has been a remarkable season for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who narrowly avoided relegation last season.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Slot said Forest’s position at this stage of the campaign suggests they are genuine contenders.

“I have always said you can judge the table best halfway through the season. They are up there with the rest so they are definitely a team in competition with us and the others.

“If you look at the way they play and their results then it is deserved. It is going to be a very difficult challenge for us to get a result.”

Forest are the only side to have beaten Liverpool in the Premier League this season. Callum Hudson-Odoi’s goal earned Forest a 1-0 win at Anfield in September. Slot said he is well aware of the challenge his team face at the City Ground.

“They have already showed in retrospect how good of a team they are. When Liverpool lose a home game it’s something you don’t expect. For us to lose on that day was hard to take. Now, looking back and seeing where they are in the league, it is not such a shock result as it felt then.

“They had a good game plan and I expect their wingers, who have done so well, to be in their starting XI tomorrow.

They have a hard-working team without the ball and they can also hold the ball. Chris Wood is a very good example of that.

“They have scored and been a threat by counter-attacks a lot, but they also have quality when they want to play with the ball.

“Nuno has done a great job at implementing a style of play that suits the players.”

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