Substitute Diogo Jota’s second-half header earned Liverpool a narrow 1-1 draw against surprise title rivals Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, leaving the Premier League leaders six points clear at the top of the table.

Top-flight club Forest, who are having a remarkable season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, took the lead with eight minutes left through striker Chris Wood in an electric City Ground atmosphere.

Liverpool, whose only league defeat this season came against Forest before their trip to the East Midlands in September, appeared to be heading for further humiliation when Jota equalized from a corner in the 66th minute.

Jota and Mohamed Salah came close to securing victory for Liverpool, but home goalkeeper Matz Sels was in top form. Instead, the draw left Arne Slot’s team six points ahead of second-placed Forest, who have played a game more.

“I couldn’t have asked for more,” Slot said. “The second half was outstanding. There are not many teams that can create so many chances against such a defensively strong opponent. Unfortunately we didn’t get a second one.”

“It’s so difficult for any team to do something here. And sometimes there was one opportunity after another. That’s why it was such a disappointment to fall 1-0 behind. I have to be happy with what we got.”

The game brought back memories of the late 1970s and early 1980s, when Forest regularly competed with Liverpool for the English league title.

---

This season, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side unexpectedly have to face another comeback against the Merseysiders and go into Tuesday’s clash with seven consecutive wins in all competitions, without conceding a goal in their last five games.

For the first time in a season since 1963, Forest were looking to win the Championship double against Liverpool and went back to the top as Wood continued his fine form with his 13th league goal of the season.

The guests saw the whole ball, but didn’t make much of it. In the opening phase alone, Liverpool had 70 percent possession of the ball, but were unable to score a goal in the entire half.

Forest continued to hold firm and the home fans dreamed of being in close proximity to their famous opponents, only for Jota to equalize 22 seconds after coming on.

Three excellent saves from Sels secured a deserved point for Forest, who remain Liverpool’s fiercest title rivals. However, fans will view the draw as a missed opportunity after seeing their side keep the league leaders at bay for so long.

“Tonight was a lesson for us because that’s how we want to compete,” Nuno said. “I’m very proud of how we played.

“Tonight was a special atmosphere. I’m not looking at the table at this point, we have to move on.”