Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis sat in front of his own personal giant television screen in the City Ground directors’ box glued to a night of pure Premier League theatre.
Whether Marinakis’ gaze was fixed on the television or events unfolding on the pitch in front of him, he was watching the fulfilment of his burning ambition to have Forest punching above their weight with the top-flight superpowers, in this case Premier League leaders Liverpool.
This was a night that had everything – from a wonderful fiery atmosphere as Forest fans live the high life, to a brilliantly drilled defensive display from Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, only underdone by a double substitution of genius from Liverpool head coach Arne Slot that almost turned defeat to victory.
The end result was a 1-1 draw that left Liverpool six points clear of Forest with a game in hand, the Premier League’s surprise package demonstrating they fully deserve their place in the upper reaches of the table.
For 66 minutes it looked like Forest were about to inflict a second knockout blow on Liverpool this season after their September win at Anfield, still the only league defeat Slot’s side have suffered this season.
The first half was classic Forest, classic Nuno, as they took the lead in trademark fashion after eight minutes, Anthony Elanga slipping a pass beyond Virgil van Dijk into the path of striker Chris Wood, enjoying a golden season, to finish clinically for his 13th goal of the season.
At the heart of this monumental Forest effort was goalkeeper Matz Sels, who performed heroics as Liverpool mounted a late head of steam, along with the twin powerhouses of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic.
If there is a more formidable central defensive partnership in the Premier League, then they must be an intimidating sight.
Murillo and Milenkovic are both quality players, but have a steely resolve and a “they shall not pass” approach that gives Forest’s counter attacking game, with Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the flanks and Wood through the middle, the platform to flourish.
