- Liverpool drew 1–1 against Forest with Jota scoring just 22 seconds after coming on
- Manager Arne Slot gave his opinion on the crucial substitutions after the match
- Listen to It all starts! Why Manchester United may have to sell Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho
If Liverpool’s draw against Nottingham Forest becomes crucial in the Premier League title race, Arne Slot can pat himself on the back for an inspired substitution.
Just 22 seconds passed after he brought on Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota before the latter headed in the former’s cross from a corner – both their first touch.
The Reds had been 1-0 down since the eighth minute after Chris Wood fired past Alisson at a tempestuous City Ground on Tuesday evening.
And the evening seemed to be marked by frustration until the 66th minute, when Jota headed in his eighth goal of the season.
It was Liverpool’s fastest substitute goal in the Premier League since records began in 2006–07.
‘You have to have a bit of luck with that [subs]. “We took off Ibou (Konate) at that point, who is normally a big threat from set pieces, but we all know Jota can score a goal and Tsimi has a good throw,” Slot said at full-time.
The involvement of Diogo Jota (right) and Kostas Tsimikas (left) appeared to be inspired by Arne Slot
Jota headed in the equalizer from Tsimikas’ corner against Nottingham Forest, just 22 seconds after the pair came on
Liverpool boss Slot insisted it was pure luck that his move paid off and secured a draw
‘We brought them in to score a goal, but after twenty seconds they actually did it.
‘I couldn’t ask for more. Second half excellent. There are not many teams that can create chances against a team that is so strong defensively.’
Jota has often had to settle for a place on the bench due to the synergy between Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Slot’s chosen striker Luis Diaz.
But Jota has consistently cooperated and put pressure on Diaz, who could have scored in the first half but was tackled by Forest defender Murillo.
Liverpool hit the target seven times but were denied by Forest’s in-form goalkeeper Matz Sels.
The result means Liverpool maintain their six-point lead over Forest.
Few fans were surprised by the outcome of the match, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side taking the pressure for large parts of the game.
The hosts were content with just 29 percent of the ball and had just six shots to Liverpool’s 23, but Wood was clinical as he has been all season.
Wood has now scored thirteen goals, just one shy of his all-time high of fourteen, which he scored once each with Burnley and Forest.