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Liverpool manager Arne Slott ruled out a draw in January transfer Speculation after watching his side draw 1-1 with high-flying Nottingham Forest.
The Reds fell behind at The City Ground after Chris Wood scored his 13th Premier League goal of the season and they were still behind after 65 minutes when Slott decided to make a double substitution, bringing on forward Diogo Jota in place of central defender Ibrahima Konate. Kostas Tsimikas for Andy Robertson in a straight swap at left-back.
The move paid immediate dividends as Jota Simikas headed in a corner, and the Premier League leaders Perhaps Forest have gone on to win the gameThose who have leapfrogged Arsenal into second place are beginning to tire.
Speaking after the match, Slott was asked if the performance highlighted any areas he would like to strengthen in January, but the Dutchman shrugged off the question and instead focused on the players he already has at his disposal.
“I think you saw again today that I can strengthen the team or influence the game with the substitutes on the bench. Not for the first time this season, these players have helped us, which I have been able to bring,” he said. said .
“If you look at today, like I said, I couldn’t have asked for more. I told them at half-time not to get frustrated, you won’t get many chances, maybe the game will slow down, but to focus on what you have to do. Keep going and hopefully you get two or three chances and let’s try to score from them. I was completely wrong because they created one chance after another.”
It was Jota’s fifth goal Premier League The culmination of what has been an injury-plagued season thus far. The Portuguese also struggled with niggles during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns but continues to be a huge influence for Liverpool.
In fact, in his half-hour appearance against Forest he had three shots on target, took seven touches in the opposition penalty area and caused general havoc. Liverpool Pushed for the winning goal.
“He already made a big impact when he came on against Fulham but then after that game he had a bit of a shock and then after the games he came in I also thought he needed a bit more time to get into his rhythm.” Slott said the 28-year-old.
“It’s not just with him, I see with other players who have been out for a few weeks or a few months, it’s hard to get that intensity straight away in these Premier League games. And that was great to see. Today when he He was even better against Fulham when he came on. He had a big impact, apart from Mo (Salah), who had a few chances to score our second goal.
