Nuno says “nothing changes” ahead of the duel at the top.
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo says his side will show Liverpool the respect they deserve ahead of their visit to the City Ground.
The Reds are six points ahead of the Tricky Trees but could reduce that gap to three with a home win against Arne Slot’s men.
Forest remain the only team to have beaten Liverpool in the Premier League this season, winning 1-0 at Anfield back in September.
Ahead of their second meeting of the season, Slot had no hesitation in calling Nuno’s men title challengers, but the former Tottenham manager is ignoring the noise and focusing on one game at a time.
Ahead of Tuesday’s clash, he said: “We have to play the games. We’re here to compete against all teams and I think we’re doing well, but our approach doesn’t change, it stays the same.
“We know what we can do and how we want to do it. We know each other, our strengths and weaknesses. So let’s play the game.
“I don’t know, but we try to ignore what’s around us as much as possible. We never change. It’s the way we see things, the way we see the competition. I would say it’s the way we see life. It’s day by day, focus on our tasks and tomorrow it will be difficult again.
🗣️ “We know we can count on them.”
Nuno, for your support before tomorrow. ❤️
– Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 13, 2025
“Salah, Diaz, Gakpo, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Konate, Trent… Quality everywhere. A fantastic team. They have shown how good they are not only in the Premier League but also in Europe. It’s about us recognizing that and approaching the game with the true respect that you need to play against Liverpool.”
Forest have emerged as the next title contenders outside the traditional top six since Leicester’s famous triumph in 2016.
While the Foxes lifted the trophy this season, there is no doubt that Nuno’s men face a tougher task with Liverpool and Arsenal breathing down their necks.
And when the Forest boss sought an answer about his ambitions this season, he dodged the question again.
He added: “It’s not about the game, it’s about the season and our strengths and weaknesses. “It’s about recognizing what we can do and what we’re capable of and what we’re really good at. That we have to repeat the weaknesses that we have and the things that we need to develop and then take care of them.
“But the basic principle of our approach is always the same. What we want to be is that one day we sit together and say that we are a solid, compact team that doesn’t give our opponents too much, that is difficult to break down and at the same time has quality ball and pace in attack.
“All of these things are the ideal. We are still tracking and working on it.
Looking ahead to Liverpool. 💪 pic.twitter.com/zTyFBwaUBi
– Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 13, 2025
“I see a group of players who are really committed to doing things well. What can happen in the future? I don’t know. The proof is that we’ve done it before – we started the competition well.
“I think we improve through competition. I firmly believe that the more time players spend together, the better they can play together and the more they get to know each other and improve.
“I see a good group of people, more than just players. A group of people who want to do something together. That’s important – the solidarity, the togetherness, that’s what I really value.”
