📣 Arne Slot calls Forest 'title rivals' ahead of City Ground clash | OneFootball

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has admitted that Nottingham Forest are one of their title rivals this season.

It's first versus third on Tuesday evening as the Reds travel to face Nuno Espirito Santo's side.

Forest are currently just six points behind the Premier League leaders and are currently the only team to beat Slot's men in the top flight.

And the Dutch coach has conceded that tomorrow's match is one that could have an impact on where the title ends up come May.

"If Forest are up there with us, they are definitely a team that are in competition for the trophy," he said.

"They deserve to be treated like this. Look at how they play and their results. It will be a very difficult challenge to get the result.

"They have already shown how good a team they are. In general, whenever Liverpool a home game, it is something we don't expect.

"For us to lose then it was hard to take. It's now not as much of a shock result as I thought back then. They had a very good game plan."

Slot then opened up on Joe Gomez's rehabilitation plan with the defender having missed most of the campaign so far.

"Joe is quite far, definitely not training with the team yet. Darwin is suspended. They are the two we will miss."

With only two players unavailable, Slot was then asked about how he keeps the rest of his squad happy.

"That's in this moment. Things can be totally different but it is definitely helpful for any manager to have all their players available.

"We almost have that at the moment. Teams in England play a lot of games so it helps if they are available. Some teams have bigger squads than us, some teams don't.

"The teams in competition with us would have loved to have all their players available. Let's hope we can continue like this."

📸 OLI SCARFF - AFP or licensors