Substitute Diogo Jota’s second-half header earned Liverpool a battling 1-1 draw with surprise title rival Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, keeping the Premier League leader six points clear at the top of the standings.
High-flying Forest, who are enjoying a remarkable season after just avoiding relegation last term, raced into the lead in an electric City Ground atmosphere through striker Chris Wood with eight minutes on the clock.
Liverpool, whose only league defeat this season before its trip to the East Midlands came against Forest in September, looked to be heading for another humbling before Jota headed home a 66th-minute equaliser from a corner.
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Jota and Mohamed Salah went close to securing victory for Liverpool late on but found home goalkeeper Matz Sels in inspired form. Instead, the draw ensured Arne Slot’s team sit six points above second-placed Forest, who have played a game more.
The fixture recalled memories of the late 1970s and early 1980s when Forest would regularly compete for the English top-flight title with Liverpool.
This season, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side unexpectedly finds itself chasing the Merseysiders down once more, coming into Tuesday’s clash on the back of seven wins in a row in all competitions without conceding a goal in the last five.
Out to do the league double over Liverpool for the first time in a season since 1963, Forest edged in front again as Wood continued his fine form with his 13th league goal of the campaign.
The visitors were seeing all of the ball but not doing a great deal with it. In the opening period alone, Liverpool enjoyed 70 per cent possession while failing to find the target all half.
AS IT HAPPENED: Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool highlights
Forest continued to stand firm, with home supporters dreaming of being in touching distance of their illustrious opponents, only for Jota, 22 seconds after coming off the bench, to be left unmarked to level.
Three superb saves from Sels preserved a deserved point for Forest, who remain Liverpool’s closest title rivals. Supporters, however, having seen their side keep the league leaders at bay for so long, will see the draw as a missed opportunity.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com