The China Mail - Jota rescues leaders Liverpool in Forest draw

Arne Slot's side were rocked by Chris Wood's early opener for Forest, but Jota came off the bench to level in the second half of a pulsating clash.

Liverpool remain six points clear of Forest, who climb into second place above Arsenal before the Gunners face Tottenham on Wednesday.

After appearing set to win their first Premier League title since 2020 at a canter following their electric start to the season, Liverpool have suffered a mini blip with two successive draws in the top-flight.

Arsenal can take advantage of Liverpool's wobble by closing the gap to four points if they win the north London derby, although the leaders will have a game in hand on Mikel Arteta's men.

Liverpool have lost just once in 20 league games this season, their only defeat coming against Forest at Anfield in September.

But their 2-2 draw with lowly Manchester United and a 1-0 League Cup semi-final first-leg defeat at Tottenham had raised rare questions about Slot's otherwise immaculate maiden campaign.

Saturday's FA Cup rout of minnows Accrington Stanley restored order and although Liverpool left the City Ground without three points, Slot will take heart from a late rally that would have produced a victory but for Forest keeper Matz Sels.

Forest's remarkable run of six successive league wins prior to Liverpool's visit had sparked claims they could emulate Leicester's fairytale title triumph in 2016.

This impressive performance suggested that dream should not be completely discounted, even if Liverpool remain firm favourites.

Earlier this month, Forest marked the 50th anniversary of Brian Clough's appointment, which triggered the club's incredible rise from the second tier to English champions in 1978 and European Cup winners in 1979 and 1980.

- Inspired Sels -

Back then, Forest and Liverpool were England's pre-eminent forces, jousting for domestic and continental silverware on a regular basis.

For the first time since 1979, Liverpool and Forest were meeting with both teams in the top three and the retro feel was palpable on the banks of the River Trent.

Forest fans, red and white scarves twirling in the raucous atmosphere, had barely finished a stirring pre-match rendition of Mull of Kintyre before their team delivered a statement of intent that could easily have come from the Clough era.

Forest have proved lethal on the counter-attack this season and they caught Liverpool with a punishing sucker-punch from their first attack in the eighth minute.

Anthony Elanga's pin-point pass caught Virgil van Dijk flat-footed as Wood ran in behind the Liverpool defender.

Keeping his composure, Wood slotted a clinical finish under Alisson Becker.

Slot's men dominated possession after that but struggled to break down a resolute Forest defence well marshalled by Serbian centre-back Nikola Milenkovic.

Milenkovic and Murillo had stopped Liverpool mustering a shot on target in the first half as Mohamed Salah was held in check.

Liverpool drew level after a rare slip from Nuno's defence in the 66th minute.

Kostas Tsimikas's corner looped into penalty area and Jota, one of the smallest players on the pitch, was given space to glance his header past Sels from five yards.

It was an inspired substitution from Slot, who had sent on Jota and Tsimikas just 22 seconds earlier.

Jota almost struck again, weaving through the Forest defence before Sels made a fine save to deny the Portugal forward.

Sels produced an even better stop moments later, throwing himself in front of Jota's powerful close-range strike.

In a frantic finale, Dominik Szoboszlai's blast forced another good save from Sels, while Salah's curler was tipped over by the inspired Forest keeper.

There was nearly a dramatic winner for Liverpool but Salah's shot was cleared off the line by Ola Aina before Sels clawed Cody Gakpo's shot to safety.

U.Chen--ThChM