What Nuno said at half-time as superb Nottingham Forest win at Liverpool provides transfer 'proof'
Nuno Espirito Santo highlighted the importance of the squad after Nottingham Forest maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a big win at Liverpool.
Callum Hudson-Odoi came off the bench to score the only goal of the game after being set up by fellow substitute Anthony Elanga. Jota Silva, Neco Williams and Morato also had impactful cameos in a further illustration of the Reds’ resources.
The latter was making his debut after putting pen to paper on deadline day. It was also a first appearance for midfielder James Ward-Prowse, who joined at the same time as Morato and was included in the first XI. Aston Villa loanee Alex Moreno also got the nod to start for his league debut for the club.
And having such strength in depth has taken on added significance as Nuno is currently without three key players. Danilo is out until at least December after suffering a broken ankle in the opening game of the campaign, Willy Boly has a calf problem and Ibrahim Sangare is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of two months with a hamstring injury.
The victory was the first time Forest had won at Anfield since 1969, and afterwards Nuno said the way it came about was “proof” of the importance of the squad - one which has been bolstered by some good transfer business. Below is a look at what the Portuguese had to say after the final whistle.
On the Reds’ first win at Liverpool for 55 years…
“We are very happy. Many of our fans in the stadium were not even born then, so that says how hard it is to play at Anfield.
“I’m proud of the work of the players because they worked very hard. I’m proud of the way we behaved as a team.
“We knew how hard it was going to be. It was all about taking chances in the right moment, and we did.
"We started with Elliot (Anderson) and Nico (Dominguez) playing wide. With the defensive tasks they had to do, dealing with the inside runs of the full-backs, it was impossible for them to last the game.
"We knew we had to make subs. The subs came in and made an impact, which is good.
On Ward-Prowse and Moreno in the XI…
"James, we know about already. We know he is experienced and he managed the game pretty well. He was always in position.
"He has great knowledge of the game, which helps. Now we are in the process of trying to introduce the ideas of the team, but he understands them very easily. And then he has quality and talent.
"Alex had a hard task. One-v-ones against (Mo) Salah is very hard. I think he did well, but when he finished he was really tired.
"That's the proof that we need every player. The squad has to be ready because it is going to be a very long season.
On what was said at half-time…
“It was about trying to correct what we saw - especially when we let the balls go in the middle. Virgil van Dijk was breaking us too many times. I think we were more compact in the second half.
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On having options…
"We were without three important players - Boly and the two midfielders, Ibrahim and Danilo. Our two starting midfielders were not here.
“Having options is good. Today, Callum and Anthony came on and impacted the game. Jota also did a good job and Morato and Neco played really well.
"We are trying to build a squad and we are going to need everybody. Some of them are going to start, some of them are going to come on in the game. We have to be ready for everything.
On whether the subs’ impact shows strength in depth of the squad…
"I insist on what I don't have. I wish I could have everybody ready. Unfortunately we don't have three players with us.
"Danilo, you know about already. Boly, I think will take some time but is going to be soon. Unfortunately, Ibrahim Sangare is going to be a while."