Slot: Nottingham Forest now title contenders

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says Nottingham Forest deserve to be treated as Premier League title contenders as he prepares Liverpool for a tricky trip to the City Ground on Tuesday.

Third-placed Forest, who handed Liverpool their only league defeat this season, can close the gap to just three points behind the title favourites with a seventh consecutive league victory.

Forest’s rise has been remarkable, considering they narrowly avoided relegation last season. Speaking during Monday’s pre-match press conference, Slot emphasized the quality of Nuno Espirito Santo’s team.

“I’ve always said that you can judge the table best halfway through the season, and that moment is here now,” said Slot. “If Forest is up there with us, Arsenal, Chelsea, (Manchester) City, and the others, they are definitely a team in competition with us. They deserve to be treated like this if you look at their results and the way they play.”

Forest, who have not conceded a Premier League goal since mid-December, shocked Liverpool with a 1-0 win at Anfield in September. Slot admitted that, in hindsight, Forest’s form makes that result far less surprising.

Nuno’s impressive work has led to a nostalgic resurgence for Nottingham Forest, once fierce rivals of Liverpool during their 1970s dominance under Brian Clough. Forest won the league title in 1978 and succeeded Liverpool as European champions, cementing their legacy in English football history.

“That’s been quite a long time ago, but now they’re back at it,” Slot remarked. “They are doing really, really well, and Nuno is doing an incredible job. But given the amount of money they’ve spent, it’s not a complete surprise they’re performing so well.”

Forest’s significant investment since returning to the Premier League in 2022, coupled with their ability to avoid relegation despite a points deduction for breaching spending rules, has solidified their place among the top contenders this season.

Slot, who has enjoyed a stellar debut campaign at Liverpool, with 24 wins in 30 matches across all competitions, praised his team’s progress but downplayed his achievements.