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Liverpool returned to Premier League action on Tuesday night and drawn a second consecutive league game, away to a strong Nottingham Forest side.

The Reds’ lively start was undone inside eight minutes after man-in-form, Chris Wood, gave the home side the lead with a great left-footed finish into the far corner.

Second half super-sub, Diogo Jota, then handed his side a lifeline with a corner header, just twenty-five seconds after entering the pitch, assisted by fellow substitute Kostas Tsimikas.

Liverpool gained the momentum and pushed for a late winner, but were made to settle for a point as Nottingham Forest’s Mats Sels, produced a goalkeeping masterclass.

We will be looking at the five things that we have learned from a back-and-forth match between the league leaders and their title challengers.

1.

CONCEDING FIRST IS BECOMING A BAD HABIT

Liverpool have often been slow starters to matches this season, but this looked to be the opposite during the opening stages at the City Ground.

They were positive, won key battles, dominated possession and created a few half chances that ultimately went begging.

But then, the solid start was completely wiped out with one Nottingham Forest attack.

Chris Wood was played in-behind Liverpool’s defensive line and struck the ball beyond Alisson.

From this moment on through to half time, the same frustrating patterns that have appeared in recent matches, came to the forefront again.

They lacked energy, movement, decisiveness and any sense of direction in their play.

Liverpool have now conceded the first goal in each of their last three league games and this immediately shoves them onto the backfoot, making the game a lot more difficult than it needs to be.

The Reds must find a way to return to their watertight ways as it feels like they can’t buy a league clean sheet right now.

2.

DIOGO JOTA MUST START AGAINST BRENTFORD

Diogo Jota was Liverpool’s saviour from the bench, yet again.

Arne Slot opted for Luis Diaz through the centre but the Colombian looked out of sorts.

A 65th-minute substitution saw Jota replace Ibrahima Konaté along with Kostas Tsimikas and Andy Robertson being a like-for-like switch, sparking a formation change.

Slot switched to a 4-2-4 formation, showing his clear intention to push for a goal, whilst reverting back to a 4-3-3 when Nottingham Forest had the ball.

Ryan Gravenberch slotted into centre-half alongside Virgil van Dijk, and Jota offered an extra body in attack.

The latter then found the much-needed equaliser seconds after being thrown into the frame.

Jota was the goalscoring threat that Liverpool had missed all night and could’ve finished on a hat-trick if it wasn’t for Mats Sels.

This performance solidifies just how important Diogo Jota is to Liverpool when available and he should be rewarded with a start when they travel to Brentford on Saturday.

3.

THE REDS ARE A SECOND HALF TEAM (AGAIN!)

Liverpool’s second half performance was a huge improvement from the first.

From the moment that Slot opted for the double change after the hour mark, they began to find their rhythm again.

As Nottingham Forest’s legs started to tire, space appeared but Liverpool could not find an all-important winner.

The Reds’ best chances fell to the feet of Jota and Mohamed Salah with outstanding saves and goal-saving blocks preventing Liverpool from taking the lead.

On the second half performance, Arne Slot said:

“I couldn’t ask for more.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST ARE ARNE SLOT’S KRYPTONITE

Tuesday’s 1-1 scoreline saw Arne Slot become unstuck in his attempts to overcome Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this season, following on from the 1-0 defeat at Anfield in September.

Slot and Liverpool will certainly be glad to see the back of Forest until next season, that is unless they are drawn to meet in the FA Cup at some stage.

5.

TOO MANY DRAWS?

Drawing a significant amount of games can be the difference between winning and losing a league title, Liverpool know that better than most.

2018-19 and 2021-22 saw the Reds miss out on two Premier League titles to Manchester City by a single point, and they could be entering similar territory again, but this time, City are out of the title picture.

A six-point gap still remains between Liverpool and second-placed Nottingham Forest, but that will be shortened to four points if Arsenal are to beat Tottenham on Wednesday, jumping above Forest in the table.

Whilst not forgetting that Liverpool still have to face Merseyside rivals, Everton at Goodison Park, with a rescheduled date now confirmed for their game-in-hand.

Consecutive draws for the Reds and four from the last seven league games, has taken the tally up to five for the season following just one from the previous thirteen.

This begs the question as to how many more slip-ups can be afforded before it starts to threaten their Premier League title charge.

A positive to take is that their challengers are also dropping points, but Arne Slot’s side would like to return to winning ways as soon as possible.

Liverpool are in for another tough away visit this Saturday as they head to Brentford.

The Bees have become a tough nut to crack at home this season, winning seven out of eleven and held Manchester City to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday.

Four points from a possible six would certainly feel like a good end to a difficult week for the Reds.

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