Arne Slot hailed Liverpool’s “outstanding” second half to earn them a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest.
The Premier League leaders maintained their six-point lead at the top of the table with Diogo Jota coming off the bench to deny the home side from reducing the gap at the top to just three after Chris Wood’s opener.
Liverpool struggled to overcome a stubborn Forest display for the better part of an hour, but a much-improved display after the introduction of Jota shared the spoils.
Slott told TNT Sports: “Their goalkeeper had to make some incredible saves, but their defenders also made some good blocks with quite a few chances. They block almost every shot.
“I couldn’t ask for more. The second half was excellent. Not many teams can create so many chances against an opponent so strong defensively. unfortunately we couldn’t get a second.”
“You have to be a bit lucky with it (substitutions).
“We took off Ibu (Konate) at the time, who is usually a big threat in set-pieces, but we all know Jota can score and Tsmikas is performing well. We brought them on to score, but they really did after 20 seconds.”
Jota: “Good point, but we wanted three”
Jota’s close header from a corner was assisted by substitute Kostas Tsimikas, with the duo making an impressive contribution after coming on.
The Portuguese forward said: “We saw the cup goal (2023 FA Cup) a couple of years ago where (Csimikas) put it through to me and so when we were on the touchline we said, ‘Now let’s recreate it.’ , you get the angle.’ And it was a goal.
“It was one of those cases where everything went right. But like I said, I’m not happy because I think we could have won.”
Of their lead at the top, which remains six points, Jota said: “It’s a long way to go in the Premier League. Every terrain you go is difficult. It’s one more point, but we wanted the three.”
Sels: Draw another good result
Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels received plenty of deserved plaudits after a string of fantastic saves to keep Tricky Trees in the game.
The Belgian stopper said: “It was amazing with all the fans behind us. A point is a good result in the end for us. Of course, we wanted to win, but I think a point is a good result against them.
“In the second half there was a lot more space between the lines and Liverpool had some big chances. If you are realistic, you have to say that a point is a good result for us.
“I am there to help the team in difficult times. In the second half, the last 20-25 minutes had many great chances. Everyone fought for it, until the last second. I’m very happy for the team and also that we didn’t lose because that gives us confidence for the next game.
“Before the season we had to get to 40 points as quickly as possible. With 17 games to go, we have 41, so we’re looking a little higher. If you want to finish in the top four or top five, you have to keep those teams behind you, like Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle.”
Goalscorer Jota, who was repeatedly denied by Sels after his goal, said of the goalkeeper’s performance: “I was just telling my former managers at Wolves just now. He made two or three great saves. You want to do better, but he was also good.”
