Chris Wood’s Goal Lifts Nottingham Forest Over Liverpool in Thrilling Match

NOTTINGHAM, England — Nottingham Forest secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Liverpool on Tuesday night, thanks to a clinical finish from striker Chris Wood. The match, played at the City Ground, saw Forest capitalize on a rare opportunity to stun the visitors and move within three points of the Premier League summit.

Wood, who has now scored the opening goal in nine different Premier League games this season, struck in the 24th minute. Anthony Elanga provided a precise through ball, splitting Liverpool’s defense, and Wood calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Alisson Becker. The goal was a testament to Forest’s efficiency, as they had been largely on the defensive for much of the first half.

“This place is jumping!” said former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison on BBC Radio 5 Live. “Even though they haven’t had a lot of the ball, this is what Forest have been all season. They hit you when you least expect it.”

Liverpool dominated possession but struggled to break down Forest’s resolute defense. Despite numerous attempts, including a wild shot from Cody Gakpo that sailed high and wide, the Reds failed to find an equalizer. Forest goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who briefly required medical attention after a collision with teammate Emerson, made several key saves to preserve the lead.

The victory marked a significant moment for Forest, who have consistently punched above their weight this season. Manager Graham Potter, in his first home game since taking charge, praised his team’s discipline and determination. “We knew it would be tough, but the lads stuck to the plan and executed it perfectly,” Potter said.

For Liverpool, the loss was a missed opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Manchester City. The Reds now face a challenging run of fixtures, with matches against Brentford, Chelsea, and Arsenal looming. “We had the ball but didn’t do enough with it,” said Liverpool manager Arne Slot. “We need to be more clinical in these situations.”

The result leaves Nottingham Forest in a strong position as they continue their push for a top-four finish. Meanwhile, Liverpool must regroup quickly to keep their title hopes alive.