Diogo Jota of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s equaliser with Kostas Tsimikas during the Premier League match at Nottingham Forest on January 14 2025(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

It says much about Liverpool’s progress under Arne Slot that a draw at their nearest Premier League challengers is regarded by some as a setback. But a 1-1 stalemate against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening ensured the Reds remain six points clear at the Premier League summit with a game in hand.

After Chris Wood opened the scoring inside the opening 10 minutes, substitute Diogo Jota struck an equaliser with his first touch midway through the second half before Liverpool dominated the closing quarter.

It made for a entertaining if slightly frustrating occasion at the City Ground. And here’s how the national media viewed what some supporters believe is two points dropped from Slot’s side.

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Paul Joyce, formerly of this parish, pointed out in The Times that Slot had once again been rewarded for his tactical nous.

“Fortune favours the brave,” he pens. “Just as Nottingham Forest were threatening to become Arne Slot’s kryptonite once again, the Liverpool head coach ­delivered another of the in-game ­masterclasses that are defining his reign thus far.

“Having watched his team perform insipidly for more than an hour, he gambled on withdrawing two defenders in the 65th minute, asking Ryan Gravenberch to switch between centre-back and midfield anchorman, and sent on Diogo Jota among his changes.

“Just 22 seconds later, the forward had cancelled out Chris Wood’s opener for Forest from a corner delivered by fellow substitute Kostas Tsimikas and Liverpool’s title challenge had received a steadying hand. Had it not been for the reflexes of the Forest goalkeeper, Matz Sels, Jota might have had two more goals before the final whistle. Ola Aina also smuggled a Mohamed Salah shot off the line.

“That belated barrage fuelled the argument that Liverpool should have delivered a statement success, yet a point did not feel like a desperately disappointing return given their toils for the first two thirds of a throbbing contest.”

Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail also believes the Reds should be more than content with the outcome.

“By the end Forest were hanging on, clinging to imaginary branches as a Liverpool tidal wave washed over them,” he says. “By full-time, their goalkeeper Matz Sels had announced himself as their best player.

“But at the same time this was a scare for Liverpool. Forest’s rope-a-dope tactics had bounced them into an early lead as their centre forward Chris Wood broke away to score. Liverpool, the league leaders, were rattled. They were unsure and anxious. Lots and lots of possession – 71% it by full-time – but for the first hour at least not a single shot on target.

“Substitute Diogo Jota changed that within 22 seconds of coming on. His header from a corner levelled the scores. And after that it was all Liverpool.

“Even so, Arne Slot’s team will be satisfied. They have to be. They didn’t lose and they easily could have. They were utterly without precision, calm or imagination up until the moment Jota scored. And, importantly, title rivals Chelsea and Manchester City – yes, them – failed to win their games.”

And Ben Fisher in The Guardian believes the Reds should be pleased with the result and claims Forest remain firm title Premier League contenders.

“Even if it was an imperfect night for Liverpool, it felt a significant takeaway,” he scribes. “Jota’s header was Liverpool’s first effort on target and the first goal Forest had conceded in more than 500 minutes.

“For Forest, this is simply a ride supporters do not want to step off. At the final whistle their players were greeted with applause from all four corners of a throbbing stadium. This was another resounding display under Nuno Espirito Santo, another impressive step in an extraordinary season and a point lifts them to second, six points behind the pacesetters, who also have a game in hand.

“On this evidence, Forest may prove Liverpool’s fiercest challengers, especially with both Chelsea and Manchester City dropping more points.”