Sitting in front of his personal giant television screen in the City Ground directors’ box, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was consumed by an evening of pure Premier League theatre.

Whether Marinakis’ gaze was on the television or on the events unfolding on the pitch in front of him, he was watching the fulfillment of his burning ambition to get Forest to align with the top superpowers, in this case the Premier League. Leaders Liverpool, to measure.

This was a night that had everything to offer – from a wonderful, fiery atmosphere in which Forest fans enjoyed the high life, to a brilliantly coached defensive performance from Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, which was only saved by a brilliant double substitution from Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, who almost turned things around, was undone by defeat and victory.

The final result was a 1-1 draw, with Liverpool six points clear of Forest with a game to play. The Premier League surprise package shows that they fully deserve their place in the top half of the table.

For 66 minutes, Forest looked like they would deal Liverpool a second knockout blow this season after their win at Anfield in September, still the only league defeat suffered by Slot’s side this season.

The first half was classic Forest and classic Nuno as they took the lead after eight minutes in typical fashion when Anthony Elanga pushed a pass past Virgil van Dijk into the path of striker Chris Wood, who was enjoying a golden season and his 13th goal of the season.

At the heart of this monumental performance from the Forest team was goalkeeper Matz Sels, who along with powerhouses Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic performed heroics as Liverpool took a late lead.

If there is a stronger central defense partnership in the Premier League then it must be an intimidating sight.

Murillo and Milenkovic are both good players but have a steely determination and a “don’t let them pass” approach that gives Forest’s counter-attacking play, with Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the flanks and Wood in the middle, the platform to flourish.