Nuno’s respect for Klopp ahead of crunch clash
FOREST BOSS READY TO TAKE ON ‘FANTASTIC TEAM’
NOTTINGHAM Forest welcome Liverpool to the City Ground for a big Premier League game today (3pm).
Forest will be looking to bounce back from their midweek FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United when a last-minute Casemiro goal meant Nuno Espirito Santo’s side missed out on a place in the quarter-finals.
That means Forest’s full focus will now be on retaining their top-flight status and what better way to kick that off than with three points against the title-chasing Merseysiders?
Ahead of today’s clash against Jurgen Klopp’s team, we’ve taken a look at the latest goings-on Trentside:
■ Klopp respect
Liverpool’s visit to the City Ground continues Klopp’s farewell tour. The German is to leave Anfield at the end of the season, having explained he is “running out of energy” after nine years at the helm.
It is a feeling Nuno can identify with. However, the Portuguese is still very much relishing being in charge of Forest. He knows his team face a tough test this weekend.
“It is a tough, tough job,” said Nuno, when asked if he understands Klopp’s decision to take a break. “Everyone is aware it is not easy.
“I respect Jurgen’s decision but for sure he will be back in football.
“For seven seasons he has progressively improved the team, he was able to renew it again and he is winning trophies. Besides being a fantastic manager, he is a very nice person.
“Liverpool are a very good team and are playing good, so we are going to face a tough opponent. Jurgen is a fantastic manager and it will be nice to see him.
“They are a fantastic team and they have good players.”
■ Elanga excitement
Anthony Elanga did not get the result he would have liked against his former club on Wednesday night but signing the ex-united man is still proving to be an excellent bit of business by Forest. He has made a big impact in the Garibaldi this season.
The 21-year-old has great potential. Working with Nuno is helping to develop his game and Elanga hopes the same will apply on the international stage.
The attacker now has a new manager to impress after the appointment of Jon Dahl Tomasson as Sweden boss earlier this week. And he is “licking his lips” at the prospect of working with the former Blackburn Rovers chief.
“It will be really interesting to work with him,” Elanga told Discovery+ (via Fotbollskanalen). “He was a great striker in his time, so I think everyone in the offensive department is licking their lips, knowing that he was a great striker who won many titles.
“He’s the first foreign national team captain with us. It will be really interesting to work with him.
“It’s a new generation and a new era, so I feel we needed something different, and now it’s finally in place.
“Hopefully, this can be the start of something big with the national team.”
■ Midfielder link
The summer is some way off but the transfer talk never stops. Regardless of what happens on and off the
pitch between now and May, it will be a big window for the Reds.
According to HITC, Forest are among the clubs eyeing up Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika.
Premier League rivals Everton, Brentford and Crystal Palace are also said to be keen, along with Championship leaders Leicester City.
Turkish giants Galatasaray reportedly had an offer rejected in January and it is claimed any team looking to prise the 22-year-old away will need to pay in excess of £13m to do so.
Onyedika was part of the Nigeria squad at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, along with Forest’s Ola Aina. The Club Brugge man, who has said he “looks up to” Paul Pogba, was an unused substitute as his country lost to Ivory Coast in the final.
■ Transfer relationship
The loan system continues to be important for Forest, not only for bringing players in but also for allowing players out. The Reds have a number of players out on loan at other clubs.
For some, the moves are with a view to permanent deals or an opportunity to put themselves in the shop window. For others, particularly youngsters, loans are a chance to continue their development with regular game time.
Among those currently plying their trade elsewhere is Nigel Doughty Academy forward Julian Larsson. The 22-year-old joined Morecambe on loan in the January window.
And it seems the League Two outfit are keen to tap into Forest’s resources again.
On the subject of potential loans, boss Ged Brannan told the Lancaster Guardian: “We’ve got a really good relationship with Nottingham Forest, so hopefully we might be able to get a couple of their players.”
Larsson has made six appearances for Morecambe so far.