Oliver Glasner had mixed feelings after Nottingham Forest came away from Anfield with a 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
There was plenty for the Forest head coach to like. His side scored twice, created a number of good chances and led Liverpool on two separate occasions. But Glasner also felt the Reds had done enough to leave Merseyside with all three points.
Forest had gone into the game without a win and without a goal in their opening two matches. That changed at Anfield. Dan Ndoye put them ahead in the first half before Alexander Isak levelled after the break.
Morgan Gibbs-White then restored Forest’s lead from the penalty spot after Neco Williams was brought down by Alisson. But Liverpool came back again, with Victor Munoz scoring late to make it 2-2.
“We’re all disappointed because we all feel it could have been more. It could have been a win, but it shows on the other side how well the team performed and how well the players have done.”
Same mistake cost Nottingham Forest again
The two Liverpool goals were the main source of frustration for Oliver Glasner.
Forest had done the difficult part twice. They had taken the lead at Anfield and had responded well after the first equaliser. Yet both times Liverpool found a way back into the game.
“Leading twice, creating so many chances, but on the other side we conceded two goals more or less in the same way through the same channel and twice it was the same mistake,” Glasner said.
Oliver Glasner believes that part of the problem comes down to the team still getting used to his ideas. He has only recently taken over at Forest and there is still plenty being worked on in training.
“I could see in this situation that not everything is 100% settled. Of course, here at Anfield you’re getting fatigued, you make a little mistake and you get punished.”
That’s something Forest will need to clean up. Against a team like Liverpool, even a small lapse can be enough.
Still, the reaction from the players pleased Oliver Glasner.
“But the reaction was good, after the equaliser we played forward and won the penalty. That’s what I really liked and credit to the players.”
Forest didn’t sit back after losing their lead. They went forward again and were rewarded when Gibbs-White converted from 12 yards.
Oliver Glasner sees a bigger picture
For all the disappointment, Oliver Glasner believes the performance could be more important than the point itself.
“The performance will help in growing the belief in the team and in the way we want to play. I think that is more important than the point today.”
That is quite a statement after Nottingham Forest had started the season with back-to-back defeats to Leeds.
The players had also faced plenty of questions after those results. Glasner thinks their response at Anfield said something about the group.
“It’s a huge credit to the players because they’ve had the same questions as everyone else with a new Head Coach and then two defeats; staying positive and staying committed to the plan.”
He also believes what Forest showed at Anfield wasn’t a one-off.
“Everybody could see the things we’re talking about, the things we’re training, they work everywhere. When they work at Anfield, they work everywhere.”
That will be the challenge now. Forest finally have a goal, a point and a performance they can use as a reference point.
Glasner knows the team still has work to do, especially defensively. But after a difficult start, watching Forest twice take the lead at Anfield will have given everyone around the club something to believe in.
The manager certainly feels the players are moving in the right direction.
“It’s tough, but it shows what great character we have in the players. We got a little reward in getting the point, but we will have a big reward in a very short time.”
