Once European rivals, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest face each other for the first time in the league since 1999 this weekend. After 23 years of waiting, this fixture is etched in English football folklore.
If we turn back to the end of the 1970s, European football was in a period of domination from English teams. Between 1977 to 1982, the competition was only won between Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa; showing the world where the pinnacle of football stood.
Forest proudly remembers its European Cup wins in 1979 and 1980 and are only one of eight teams to retain the title in consecutive years, Liverpool being another. Brian Clough turned Forest into a machine that was rampant across Europe with players such as Peter Shilton and skipper John McGovern leading the charge.
The Anfield Reds, however, bettered Forest’s success under Bob Pailsey winning four European Cups in 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1985.
Fast forward four decades and it’s a different story. Although over 20 years since the last league fixture, these two sides have met recently in the FA Cup. Just last year Jurgen Klopp’s team travelled to Nottingham in the quarter finals. A tough game was separated by Diogo Jota’s 78th minute winner in a well-fought 1-0 win, earning a place at Wembley against Manchester City. Liverpool went on to win the competition beating Chelsea on penalties.
Saturday’s early kick off at the City Ground will see two teams in need of three crucial points. Forest are fighting to get out of the fight bottom three, having won just one game from 11 and sitting rock-bottom of the league with six points. On Tuesday night they earned a point against Brighton at the Amex Stadium in a goalless draw.
Liverpool go into the game in positive spirits following their two consecutive 1-0 wins at Anfield against Manchester City and West Ham.
