Nottingham Forest

Aadam Patel
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Before Forest's win against Fenerbahce on Thursday, Vitor Pereira told his players to "express themselves". It worked in Istanbul and the way they started against Liverpool, you got the sense that his team talk would have been very similar.

His side raced out of the blocks and were it not for a fantastic save from Alisson to deny Callum Hudson-Odoi, they would have taken an early lead.

In midfield, Ibrahima Sangare and Elliott Anderson ran the game while they were hardly tested defensively until the latter stages.

This was a defeat that will certainly sting given the manner of it but there were encouraging signs for Forest.

They might be only two points above the relegation zone but on the basis of this showing, they should have enough to stay up.

"I am frustrated inside," said Pereira. "I am angry with football, but you know, it's time to keep the mentality, to come back stronger and with confidence to face the future. The first half we played in the way that we played in Istanbul but we didn't score the goals."

Forest boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to BBC Sport: "We are very frustrated. The way we played the first half was by creating chances and not conceding anything. It was a fantastic first half. We know the second half could be difficult because we played three days ago and travelled four hours. We didn't press properly. They won the game. In my opinion, one point was the minimum. Zero points is not fair.

"Inside the pitch, we must put the tallest guys where their tallest guys are. That must happen inside the pitch. We didn't. We lost the game in a small detail but we know we need to correct these kinds of things. It's a pity.

"The supporters were with us until the last minute and they recognised we deserved more than this but that is football. We need to prepare ourselves mentally and tactically for the next game.

"The team has talent. The players have ambition and talent. I am confident we will get points until the end of the season to move forward. One point is better than nothing. We have to come back stronger."

Did you know?

• Vitor Pereira became the first manager to lose his first Premier League game of a spell in charge of a club due to a 90th-minute (or later) winning goal since Nuno Espírito Santo also did so with Nottingham Forest against Bournemouth in December 2023.

• Forest's 12 first half shots were the most any side has managed in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League game against Liverpool since Stoke City in May 2015 (also 12), with Stoke 5-0 up at half-time that day.

• Only Burnley (12) have scored fewer home goals in the Premier League this season than Forest (13). The Tricky Trees have drawn a blank eight times at the City Ground in the league this season, more than any other side at home in the top-flight.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Forest's performance

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Vitor Pereira names an unchanged Nottingham Forest side from the team that won at Fenerbahce in Turkey on Thursday.

Nottingham Forest XI: Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Sangare; Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Hutchinson; Jesus

Subs: Gunn, Morato, Ndoye, Dominguez, Lucca, Yates, Cunha, McAtee, Bakwa

Arne Slot makes two changes from the side that beat Brighton in the FA Cup, with Ryan Gravenberch coming in for Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo replacing Federico Chiesa.

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Szoboszlai, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Morrison, Ngumoha

There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

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• Sunderland v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

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Kick-off times 14:00 GMT unless stated

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When Vítor Pereira went in as Wolves manager in December 2024, he did brilliantly to keep them up - but he has essentially taken them down this season, picking up only two points from 10 games before he was sacked.

Now he has arrived at Forest as their fourth manager of the season.

I don't think his predecessor, Sean Dyche, deserved the sack. Based on the results in his 18 games in charge, Forest would be 12th in the table, but we are used to seeing managerial changes at the City Ground now.

We know Pereira will try to keep things tight, but Forest's biggest issue throughout this campaign has been scoring goals and I am not sure they will be able to get at Liverpool.

Arne Slot's side became the first team to win at the Stadium of Light when they edged out Sunderland in their last league game, and I can see a similar outcome here.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest supporters will see a fourth new face in the City Ground dugout this season when they welcome Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday (14:00 GMT).

After making his Forest managerial bow in the Europa League on Thursday at Fenerbahce - an impressive 3-0 win - Vitor Pereira will take charge of his first league fixture with the club this weekend. The nature of Forest's managerial changes – not to mention their perilous league position – means he will need to hit the ground running.

They welcome a Liverpool side who have shown some positive signs recently after back-to-back wins. A top-five finish, and what should be Champions League football next season, remains their Premier League aim after a limp title defence.

Fourth time lucky for Forest?

Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and Pereira will be quiz-question answers for years to come. For the first time in the Premier League, a team will have had four permanent managers in a single season; there are still 12 games of the top-flight campaign to go too.

Pereira's aggressive, attacking brand of football represents another tactical U-turn for Forest and it will be intriguing to see how quickly he can get his ideas across, especially a three-man defence set-up that will be unfamiliar for the current squad.

When he took charge at Wolves last season it did not take long, winning 10 of his first 22 games. But this year the wheels fell off, with Wolves only taking two points from 10 games before Pereira was sacked.

If he were to secure a huge win, it would snap a worrying trend from a Forest perspective. The last manager to win his first Premier League game in charge was Dave Bassett in 1997; all six since have lost their openers in the competition.

Dom delivering for Liverpool

Liverpool have next to no hope of retaining their Premier League title, but with the FA Cup and Champions League still up for grabs, they seem to be coming to the boil at the perfect time.

Last time out in the Premier League, they won at Sunderland – becoming the first team to triumph at the Stadium of Light this season – and then they dispatched Brighton in the FA Cup last weekend.

There is no doubt that their standout player this season has been Dominik Szoboszlai, who was on the scoresheet again against the Seagulls. He now has five goals and two assists in his last eight games in all competitions.

Should he line up in midfield – the Hungarian has been deployed at right-back on a number of occasions this season – his battle with Elliot Anderson will be vital in determining the outcome of the contest.

Liverpool do not have many happy recent memories against their Nottingham opponents, though. Forest have not lost any of the last three meetings between the two teams – the most recent a 3-0 win at Anfield – and the Reds have won just one of their last 15 visits to the City Ground.

The latest news and views on Forest in two minutes, every weekday afternoon.

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Tyrese King
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking before Sunday's Premier League game against Liverpool at The City Ground (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines:

• On Liverpool: "A tough game against the previous champions in England, but as I say to my players, we need to play with our tools, we need to play with our identity. We need to create identity, it must be what we like and believe."

• He added: "We have started to work since the first day to create identity. To know what to defend and attack as a team."

• On how he wants his teams to play: "Football for me, we need to play as a team and with a true spirit. We need to play with organisation, that allows the players to express themselves."

• He added: "That's why I tell them to go one v one, believe in themselves, cross in the box, appear in the box to score and believe you can score. When you lose the ball, it's important to be aggressive, to be balanced and if possible organised and impacted. The team must know the right moment to press, because you cannot press every time."

• On playing Fenerbahce on Thursday and then Liverpool on Sunday: "We need to rest, because it is a very short time, but I believe with the energy of the supporters I think we can play consistently and fight for the three points."

• He believes that despite Liverpool's mixed season, they are "strong enough" and expects a "tough, tough game".

• On how his team are preparing for the Reds: "Tactically some corrections because we can improve and be consistent. I don't want my team to play one way and then another. I want us to play Liverpool with the same tactical intention that we played Fenerbache."

• On leading Forest at the City Ground in the Premier League for the first time: "Very excited. I miss the grass, the dressing room. This is my life, because this is what I breathe every day."

Hit play above to hear more from Pereira or listen on BBC Sounds here

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A new episode of the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast is available to download and listen to on BBC Sounds.

In it BBC Radio Nottingham's David Jackson and former Forest midfielder Steve Hodge dissect an impressive 3-0 first leg Europa League win against Fenerbache in Istanbul, plus hear from Vitor Pereira after his first game in charge and defender Murillo who scored the opening goal.

"Forest were purring in the first-half," said Hodge.

"It was just domination. The technical ability and movement was so good that Fenerbache couldn't live with it.

"If a team gives you license to get into pockets, get turned, hurt you, link play, get high up the pitch into good areas and give the ball to your wide players one against one against defenders they can beat, then that causes havoc. From the first minute you saw that,

"Sean Dyche will be sat at home thinking, 'wow, where did that come from?'

"On the European stage, away from home, to play like that was just so good to watch. I am happy Pereira picked his best team tonight which was a bit of a gamble before Liverpool at the weekend.

"He got the back four together again, they never gave Fenerbache a sniff. That first XI was immense and a jot to watch. It has to be the new manager effect. They are human beings and they show what they feel on the pitch."

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Nottingham Forest content on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Nottingham Forest's Europa League win away at Fenerbahce.

Here are some of your comments:

Martin: It was coming, wasn't it? The fans knew it. Just proves football is about psychology as well as skill. The fireworks have been there, it just needed a decent manager to light the touch paper. The City Ground will be exciting on Sunday against Liverpool.

Kris: A great performance from start to finish from Forest, a team playing for a manager they believe in, or just having the shackles off. Either way, this is what we're actually capable of - and we could have gone up another level.

Steve: Good for Pereira - he come across well, and seems positive and logical. But after only three days he can only have done so much, so you have to wonder where has that level been from the players for most of this season? Now they've shown it there's no excuse not to perform at that level all the time - certainly in the 12 games needed to keep us in the Prem.

Nigel: Forest can beat anyone when we play our game - solid defence, quick turnovers, fast attack. When we play old fashioned possession-based football, then we lose. End of story. Pereira seems to understand that, substituting all of the attack so they have a rest.

Mossy: A massive win away in the cauldron of Fernabahce and an excellent start for the new coach. Hope he can do something with our dead-ball situation as at the moment we are so wasteful.

Sean: What more can you say? Phenomenal performance across the board from the team, should have been more. We'll have no worries about relegation if we play like that week in week out.

Stephen: Wow, was that really Nottingham Forest tonight? What a great start to life under Vitor. Everyone played like a team with a point to prove. Keep that momentum going into Sunday.

Charles: Forest are an unused Stradivarius but sadly Sean Dyche could only play a fiddle! Now let us hear a proper tune!

David Jackson
BBC Radio Nottingham reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Instanbul is a city of contradictions and chaos - the perfect setting for Nottingham Forest, supposedly in turmoil and on their fourth head coach of the season, to turn in their best performance for a long time.

This a city where Europe meets Asia, where new meets old and where havens of quiet reflection are mixed in among bazaars with stall owners desperate to noisily sell you spices and pomegranate tea.

It's incredible and intoxicating. Much like Forest have been these past few years and, yes, they have their contradictions too.

They have lurched all season from some baffling displays (see Wrexham and Braga) to looking as magic as they did last season (see the wins over Liverpool and Spurs).

They showed here in Istanbul that, despite some sub-standard performances in this competition, they could yet go a very long way.

What they must ensure of course is that they iron out the contradictions and bring some consistency to this season because this was a timely reminder that if Forest can play like they did here when they're back to Premier League football, they'll be just fine.

Hear Vitor Pereira speak post-match on BBC Sounds

Hear from goalscorer Murillo on BBC Sounds

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Vitor Pereira became the fourth man in the Forest hot seat this term when took over following Sean Dyche's dismissal earlier this month.

And given his appointment, to arguably the most precarious job in the Premier League, was only officially confirmed four days ago, things could not have gone much better for the 57-year-old against a club he managed in 2021.

His team played with purpose and were better in every department than a Fenerbahce side yet to lose any of their 22 games in the Turkish Super Lig this season.

Forest were undoubtedly aided by the woeful performance of the hosts who slipped to their heaviest home defeat for three years but there was still much to admire.

Murillo, who was absent for Dyche's final two games, was a commanding presence at the back, while Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson laid a strong platform for the success in midfield.

Unlike in their dismal 0-0 draw against Wolves, there was also a genuine cutting edge in attack, with Igor Jesus working superbly in tandem with the elusive Morgan Gibbs-White.

With a tough game approaching on Sunday against Liverpool as Forest get back to the reality of a domestic relegation battle, Pereira will have been delighted to have been afforded the opportunity to take off key men Jesus, Anderson and Gibbs-White long before the final whistle.

Read more in the match report here or in a feature on Forest's win

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira, speaking to TNT Sports: "The quality of the players [I liked the most]. I asked them to express themselves on the pitch. They did it.

"We had chance to score two more goals. It was a very good result. It is only half time, we need to be consistent, the schedule is tight and difficult. Everyone must be ready to help the team. This is what I ask them.

"It was a consistent game for us. We deserved the result.

"I realised before I came that the players have a lot of quality. They need results but they need to enjoy the game. If they enjoy the way they are playing they can have a high level. They need just organisation and confidence."

Confident you can keep Forest up in the Premier League? "Of course I am. We will try match by match to win the next match. It will be very difficult. It is not easy to come here and score three goals and not concede a goal. Next game will be a different game and we need to be consistent."

Did you know?

• Vitor Pereira has remained unbeaten in his first game in charge of a club, with Nottingham Forest his 15th spell at the helm of a team during his managerial career (W11 D4).

Nottingham Forest defender Murillo added: "It's a big win. We did a great job. The first game of the new gaffer was very good. Everyone made a good job, not just me.

"Not just the back line, everyone did a good defensive job. Ortega - what a save in the first half.

"The gameplan was good. I know the gaffer only had a little time but we got the idea. Now we have time to recover properly and come back to the top in the Premier League.

"We have a good team, very good players, so we have to do a great job and believe in the gameplan of the new gaffer."

Did you know?

• With his opener, Murillo became the first defender to score an away goal in major European competition for Nottingham Forest since Steve Chettle against Bayern Munich in March 1996 in the Uefa Cup.

Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White, speaking to TNT Sports after a 3-0 win at Fenerbahce: "I felt we had a real identity out there. We defended well and we created so many chances."

On the new manager: "His message to us is that we will have a real identity how we play and defend as a team. We have all bought into what he wants straight away.

"It is about keep learning off each other and take it game by game.

"We needed a clean sheet and we needed a win and today felt like the perfect moment. Our fans were top tonight, they were incredible. An all-round incredible day.

"You want to enjoy every moment as a player. I said yesterday it can be difficult as footballer to enjoy moments because of how quick the games come up. We can enjoy it tonight and then prepare for Liverpool at the weekend.

"We have been going through a difficult time, confidence is the main thing and tonight will boost confidence. We just have to stay together and be the most complete team."

Did you know?

• This was Fenerbahçe's joint-biggest home Europa League defeat, after also losing 3-0 to Borussia Monchengladbach in December 2012 and Olympiakos in September 2021.

• With tonight's 3-0 victory, Nottingham Forest recorded their biggest ever away win in major European competition. It was also their first win in the knockout rounds of any European competition since defeating Lyon 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Cup round of 16 tie in November 1995.

• No player has netted more goals than Igor Jesus in the UEFA Europa League this season (7), while his seven strikes are now the outright-most for the club during a major European campaign, overtaking Gary Birtles' six during the 1978-79 European Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

Ally McCoist, former Rangers striker on TNT Sports: "Nottingham Forest were miles ahead, they just looked like a different team from a different league.

"Sean Dyche might be asking a question, where has that been?

"That was a top class performance over 90 minutes. Particularly the first 45 where they never put a foot wrong.

"From Vitor Pereira's point of view, clean sheet, comfortable victory, all but in the next round."

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Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Forest's first leg performance

Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies

Fenerbahce make one change to the side that started their 3-2 win against Trabzonspor in the Turkish top flight on 14 February, as Ismail Yuksek makes way for Sidiki Cherif.

That means former Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson begins in goal, Nelson Semedo, who played under Vitor Pereira at Wolves last term, is at right-back, while the likes of ex-Chelsea star N'Golo Kante will play alongside one-time Arsenal man Matteo Guendouzi, in midfield.

Fenerbahce XI: Ederson, Semedo, Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Muldur Guendouzi, Kante, Asensio, Talisca, Cherif, Akturkoglu

Subs: Cetin, Biterge, Brown, Soyuncu, Yuksek, Fred, Demir, Mercan, Nene, Ekici. Aydın

In what has been something of an extraordinary season for Nottingham Forest manager-wise, they will have their fourth coach of the season in the dugout today as Pereira takes charge for the first time when they face Fenerbahce in under an hour.

He makes two changes to the Forest starting line-up from the 0-0 draw against Wolves in the Premier League on 11 February. Igor Jesus comes in for Lorenzo Lucca and Murillo replaces Morato.

Nottingham Forest XI: Ortega, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Jesus.

Subs: Gunn, Willows, Morato, Ndoye, Dominguez, Lucca, Yates, Jair Cunha, McAtee, Bakwa, Abbott.

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