Nottingham Forest manager Glasner said he was proud of his side’s performance but disappointed they failed to beat Liverpool after a 2-2 draw in the second round of the Premier League.
Forest created numerous opportunities and twice took the lead, but Liverpool responded on both occasions to earn a point. Glasner said the result reflected both the quality of his team’s performance and the frustration of conceding goals in a similar fashion.
“Yes, absolutely. We have mixed emotions right now.”
“On one hand, we are all proud of the team’s performance. We created a lot of chances and we’re proud of the goals we scored. On the other hand, we’re disappointed because we couldn’t win. I think this perfectly illustrates how well we played today.”
Glasner felt Forest’s defensive standards declined during the latter stages of the match, allowing Liverpool to exploit the same area of the pitch twice.
“However, we can also see that after about 60 to 65 minutes, our defensive level dropped. We were then punished twice in roughly the same area and in the same manner. Conceding the same type of goal twice shows that some aspects aren’t yet completely stable. Of course, after six or seven weeks, we can’t resolve everything perfectly. But many aspects of today’s performance should give us confidence.”
The Forest manager said the team had expected to find space behind Liverpool’s aggressive attack, but insisted the game plan was not based only on counter-attacking football.
“Yes, that was our plan. But we weren’t relying solely on counter-attacks. In the first half, we also created two good chances through positional play.”
“The first came when N’Doye headed back directly, and Jacquet made an excellent clearance – otherwise Jurgen Klopp’s side would have been in trouble. The second was just before halftime when we moved the ball quickly, and Alisson made a very good save.”
Glasner praised his players for carrying out the tactical instructions effectively and said the point should provide encouragement, even though Forest believed they deserved more.
“So this was indeed our game plan. We knew Liverpool is a team that attacks aggressively, so we’d have space, and our players executed it excellently. The tactical plan worked perfectly. It’s always easy in theory, but I want to praise the players – they really implemented this on the pitch. Of course, one point is a good result and will give us confidence.”
Asked whether Forest should have collected more points, Glasner acknowledged that the team’s performance suggested it could have taken a greater reward, while stressing the need for humility.
“You’re right, we can discuss that. But I’ve told the players that I think we all feel the team could have earned more points. In the end, though, we only have one point, and we have to accept that. So it’s important to stay humble and continue working very hard.”
He added that Forest were still developing under his leadership and that the players were beginning to understand the style he wanted them to adopt.
“We’re still at the beginning of the season and still at the beginning of our journey together. However, many aspects of today’s performance should give us confidence. The players have also shown they’re gradually adapting to how we want the team to play. So we look forward to the next match and will continue to work hard next week.”
Glasner also warned against making sweeping judgments about a player’s contribution, praising the impact made by a substitute while noting that the player still needs to improve his match fitness.
“I think it’s too easy for all of us to jump to conclusions at either extreme. I thought his impact when he came on today was very good – not just his quick throw-ins, but also his running and his physical challenges. What impressed me even more was his left-footed shot from the corner – it had real power and was very decisive. That said, I could see he struggled a bit after two sprints and his pressing intensity was high. So he needs to regain his match fitness, which is what we’ll work on with him. Once he does, he’ll have the same positive impact as everyone else.”
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