As Nottingham Forest players gathered at Anfield before kick-off in September, captain Ryan Yates delivered one final message: “We are a big club. But we are only a great club if we believe in it.”

Four months later, when the two teams met again at the City Ground, the surprise 1-0 win that Nuno Espirito Santo’s side celebrated on Merseyside was not to be repeated. The spoils have been shared and the gap between Forest and leaders Liverpool remains six points.

But Forest should be more convinced than ever that they deserve to be in this company. They should believe that they belong on stages like this. You’d better believe that something special could be on the horizon.

They’re still the interlopers in the top four, the uninvited guest at the party, but they’ve more than earned the right to be there.

Nuno has always refused to admit that Forest are among those who can push for the title. But this was an old-fashioned, raucous game played in a cauldron of noise – and while they ultimately had to hold on amid a barrage, Forest more than did their part.

Forest went head-to-head with the team who were their main rivals in the halcyon days of Brian Clough’s tenure – fading memories that fans have had to hold on to for many years since, particularly during a 23-year exile from the United States top division and a slide into the top division League One.

We are still a long way from returning to the elite ranks of European football. But tantalizingly, it remains a possibility. After 21 games, the prospect of a return to continental competition is more than just a pipe dream. And the rivalry with Liverpool has been reignited.

The Forza Garibaldi banner in Bridgford read: “We will never stop believing because Nuno has made us dream.”

It’s still Liverpool’s title to lose. This was not a night that ultimately changed that perception. But given everything that has preceded this unexpected adventure, even the fact that Forest have to fight for the Champions League is special.

Forest have still taken four points from Arne Slot’s side, which is more than most will manage, and the Liverpool manager summed it up in his post-match press conference when he noted that Nuno had given Forest a formula, that can lead to success.

“That’s every manager’s job – to find a style of play that suits their players. What makes it difficult is that they play the long ball. They have some very good players for that,” Slot said. “You have to make sure you win the first ball, but then also the second or third ball.”

“You play against (Chris) Wood, who is a very strong goalscorer, and also against some very good strikers who can hurt you. But as soon as you win the ball, they have 11 players behind them. It is very difficult to score a goal; It is difficult to create opportunities.

“After 20 games you can judge the table. If you are at the top with us and other teams, it is not due to luck. It’s very difficult to play against them. They are a team that can compete at the top.”

The Forest fans are enjoying the trip. They also enjoyed taunting Slot and singing “We’re in your heeeeeead, Arne, Arne, Arne-ee” to the tune of the Cranberries. Zombie.

The qualities that earned their team a point should have come as no surprise. They were the same ones who were the catalyst for their remarkable rise after battling relegation for two seasons.

Wood’s reckless but simple finish earned him his 13th goal and put Forest ahead after being picked out by a perfect pass from the in-form Anthony Elanga, who has scored or assisted in six consecutive Premier League games . He and Wood have now scored nine goals between them.

Keeping Liverpool at bay required determined defensive heroics from the entire team – but especially the back four.

Then there was Matz Sels. Has there been a better goalkeeper in the top flight this season than the Belgian international? There can hardly have been a better performance than his.

He was helpless to do anything about Liverpool’s Jota’s equalizer, which ended a run of five consecutive goals conceded for Forest (Carlos Miguel was responsible for the last time, against Luton in the FA Cup). But Sels simply refused to allow Liverpool to turn one point into three, making big saves to deny Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Jota (twice), while Ola Aina held off the line as Salah beat Sels.

Salah has only failed to score or provide an assist in three league games this season – two of them against Forest. That was thanks in part to left-back Neco Williams, who stood up to his former club and teammate.

Murillo’s carefree brilliance was summed up in the 30 seconds it took him to attempt a shot from the center of Liverpool’s half, apologize to Nuno and quickly head back to more familiar territory to make a crucial clearance attempt. Previously, when Diaz had charged at Murillo one-on-one, the Brazilian waited before extending his leg to grab the ball with precise timing. This Forest team isn’t in the habit of giving away goals cheaply.

Forest face struggling Southampton on Sunday. You will hope that the formula will be fine again.

When Nuno looks back on those words from Yates at Anfield, do his players now believe they are a big club now?

“We are in a big club. Yates’ words were a testament to the respect the players have for one another. They will not allow anyone to stop believing that we can achieve something beautiful,” Nuno said. “They are disappointed. But this feeling shows that we are on the way to what we want to become: a good team.”

(Top photo: Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images)