Nottingham Forest 1-1 Liverpool: Match report & talking points as Reds drop precious points | OneFootball

Liverpool dropped points for the second successive Premier League match as they drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.

Chris Wood scored his 13th Premier League goal of the season as the Midlands side opened the scoring early doors, with Liverpool struggling to carve open the resolute Forest defence throughout a first half of few opportunities.

But Diogo Jota rose from the bench to secure a hard-fought point for Liverpool and scored from a header just 22 seconds after entering the fray, with Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels sparkling in the dying embers with a string of decisive saves.

Nottingham Forest are the only side to have conquered Liverpool in the Premier League this season and a raucous City Ground spurred the hosts on from the first whistle as they raced into an early lead.

Despite ceding territory in the opening stages, Forest proved possession is immaterial as they preyed on a mistake from Mohamed Salah and sprung a swift counter-attack in the eighth minute. Anthony Elanga unlocked the Liverpool defence with a simple through ball and the relentless Wood produced a clinical drilled finish to stun the league leaders.

Forest's opener allowed them to drop even deeper into their own third, with their well-organised backline and midfield stifling the division's top scorers. Liverpool pressed and probed but were unable to create any clear-cut opportunities in the first half-four, with the Reds blazing the majority of their efforts over the crossbar.

Liverpool grew increasingly frustrated as the first half drew to a close and speculative crosses into the penalty area were repeatedly rebuffed by Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic. Forest's centre-back pairing were imperious as Salah and Co. drew a blank.

Forest continued to frustrate their hosts after the restart but a masterful Arne Slot substitution in the 65th minute changed the game as Liverpool drew level. Kostas Tsimikas and Jota were thrust into the action and combined with their first touches of the match as the Greek defender's corner was headed home by his Portuguese teammate from close range.

Jota's arrival proved transformative as the Reds finally found some joy in Forest's final third and the diminutive forward produced his side's second shot on target of the game shortly after his equaliser. Twisting and turning in the box, he brought a sprawling near-post save out of Sels.

Sels proved his credentials repeatedly in the closing stages as Liverpool began to pepper the Forest goal, with particularly impressive saves denying Jota, Salah and Cody Gakpo. The home goalkeeper simply refused to be beaten, with the Reds left cursing an inspired performance between the sticks.

In the end, Forest had their goalkeeper to thank for a hard-fought draw, with Liverpool stumbling in their Premier League title fight. The Reds will have one eye on the north London derby on Wednesday, with Arsenal able to close the gap to just four points with victory.

Liverpool leave door ajar in Premier League title race

Liverpool struggled for large periods / Michael Regan/GettyImages

After underwhelming in their 2-2 draw with Manchester United in their first Premier League match of the new year, Liverpool had to settle for a point once more at the City Ground.

It proved another frustrating night for the Reds, who were off the pace until the final half-hour. They endured large spells of meaningless possession, struggling to slice open Forest's stubborn and watertight defence. In the final third, they looked blunt for much of the encounter.

While things improved drastically following some clever substitutions from Slot, this is another chance wasted for Liverpool, who have left the door ajar for the chasing pack.

Diogo Jota makes the difference

Diogo Jota equalised for Liverpool / Michael Regan/GettyImages

Liverpool had looked alarmingly flat until the 65th minute but Jota's introduction prompted swift improvements. The forward scored with his first touch - another header to add to a surprisingly large tally of aerial strikes for a diminutive figure - making the vital impact just 22 seconds after entering the pitch.

By the end of the game, Jota could well have scored a hat-trick. Two phenomenal saves from Sels denied the former Wolves man, who offered Forest's backline a unique test with his clever movement and direct approach.

Luis Diaz led the line once again at the City Ground but cut a frustrated figure for much of the evening. Meanwhile, Jota was Liverpool's saviour and has earned the right to start the next outing up front.

Nottingham Forest defended admirably / PAUL ELLIS/GettyImages

Much has been made of Forest's remarkable defensive record this season and they flexed their muscles against the league's top scorers. Their well-oiled and rigid back four was guarded by the indefatigable Ryan Yates and Elliot Anderson, both of whom fought like terriers in the engine room.

Neco Williams produced a neat display against his former club, while Nikola Milenkovic and Ola Aina were similarly stoic. The latter even produced a late clearance off the line that ultimately proved decisive.

But Murillo and Sels were the stars of the show. The former provided a defiant display that reflects his growing status as one of the league's elite young talents, while Sels produced a stream of exceptional late saves that earned Forest their point.

Nuno Espirito Santo's organisational skills frustrated one of Europe's elite forward lines, and yet that came as little surprise.