'Incredible': Arne Slot raves about one Nottingham Forest player in 1-1 Liverpool draw
Yesterday at 05:58 PM
Nottingham Forest battled brilliantly to earn themselves a 1-1 draw against league leaders Liverpool.
There was plenty of excitement in the build up to the game, with Forest knowing that a win against their Merseyside counterparts would take them to within three points of the Premier League table toppers.
It was the hosts that struck first at the City Ground as Forest seized on sloppy play from Liverpool in the middle of the park.
Anthony Elanga time his through ball perfectly to fall into the feet of in-form Chris Wood, who was never going to miss as he slotted home to give the Reds the lead.
Arne Slot accused Forest of time wasting in the first half and cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines as
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men held out for as long as they could but conceded their first goal in over seven hours of football when Diogo Jota headed home from a corner.
Murillo caught the eyes of football fans around the world, but it was another that took the plaudits from Slot.
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Arne Slot wowed by Matz Sels’ performance
Liverpool were the dominant team in the second half and one of the biggest reasons as to why they didn’t come away with all three points was because of Matz Sels.
The Belgian goalkeeper was phenomenal in-between the sticks, making five saves in the game, all from point-blank range.
Jota told Forest coaches he was stunned by Sels’ performance and it seems his manager was also in agreement post-match.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Slot said: “Their goalkeeper had to make a few incredible saves but their defenders also made some good blocks with quite a few chances. They blocked almost every shot.
“I could not have asked for more. Second half was outstanding. There are not many teams that can create so many chances against an opponent so defensively strong. unfortunately we couldn’t get a second.”
Chris Wood claims Matz Sels is the best goalkeeper in the league
Considering Sels only joined Forest in the summer for £5m from Strasbourg, extending his loan stay from last season into a permanent one, he has gone under the radar.
Sels has kept nine clean sheets this season, more than any other top-flight goalkeeper, but has probably not earned the plaudits he deserves.
Forest forward Wood has been the man of the moment this season and may have added his 13th of the season on Tuesday night, but it was Sels he singled out.
He said: “Sels’ has been undoubtedly the best ‘keeper in the league so far this season and he will continue to do that all season.
“We all have the belief in him and the two centre-backs also rightfully get the praise they deserve.
