"If God wills…" – Nottingham Forest star on season aim, and fulfilling family promise against Liverpool

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Nottingham Forest defender Murillo has admitted the aim is to now qualify for the Champions League, after the draw with Liverpool.

The centre back has been speaking to TNT Sports Mexico about Nottingham Forest and their aims after holding the Premier League leaders on Tuesday evening.

An early goal from Chris Wood had set them on course for another victory over Arne Slot's side at the City Ground before Diogo Jota equalised from a corner in the second half.

Nottingham Forest held out, though, to make it four points taken from Liverpool this season. They were the first side to beat them this season with a 1-0 win at Anfield.

It continued a fine season so far for Murillo and his teammates, who currently sit second in the table with 41 points from 21 games. They've also managed four wins in their last five league games.

That puts them firmly in the title race but, more conservatively, on course to qualify for the Champions League. Murillo says this is the aim, although it will be for God to decide.

"Yes, the goal is to see what we can achieve, the potential, the day-to-day we live, the results, the team we’re able to form," he said.

“We see the achievements too, which I think are surreal. So, we see that as the goal. We’re in third place today, enjoying one of the best phases. In the last seven games, there were six wins and one draw. We’re undefeated, thank God. So, it’s work.

"We’ll love to hear this song again, because our club already has two. And it would be an honour to return to the Champions League with Nottingham Forest. So, it’s a hard work, a daily work. Soon, in the penultimate round, we’ll talk about it, and if God wills it, everything will be consolidated."

For now, the focus is on the week to week, continuing to pick up results and produce a dream season for Nottingham Forest fans.

Few would have predicted that they'd be in this situation when Espirito Santo was hired to avoid relegation last season.

Murillo's family have become a firm part of that crowd, regularly travelling from Brazil to watch him play in the Premier League.

That, sadly, was only partly true for the draw with Liverpool, as a mix up meant they had to return home early. The defender, though, was still able to fulfil one promise thanks to Wood's early goal.

"My mother, by the way, you’ll like this story. They left today. My wife bought a ticket for the 14th, without knowing it was the match. There was no release date yet. Their flight was at 8.15pm," he added.

"My mother, my brother-in-law, my sister-in-law, my in-laws, along with my brother-in-law, left. And they told me, it’s going to be a great match, we believe in you.

"Since their flight is at 8.15pm, they were able to watch the first 15 minutes. I promised them, I said, if I don’t score, our team will score before the 15 minutes. And we scored in the first eight minutes. So, I was able to keep my promise and play a great match. So, I’m very happy about this, about the phase we’re going through again."

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