In the Premier League on January 15th, Beijing time, the league leaders Liverpool faced resistance. In the away match against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool conceded a goal within 8 minutes, with Wood breaking through Liverpool's goal. In the 66th minute, two substitute players connected, with Tsimikas assisting Jota to score from a corner kick, and the two teams eventually drew 1-1. Nottingham Forest has risen this season, and Manchester United also "contributed." In six rounds, a 22-year-old player discarded by Manchester United shone in the Premier League, with Ten Hag missing the mark and letting go of a fast winger at a bargain price.
Liverpool has only lost one game in the Premier League this season, a 0-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest. In the second leg between the two sides, Liverpool remained unbeaten. Liverpool's recent progress has been slow, drawing with Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, losing 0-1 to Tottenham in the first leg of the League Cup, but winning in the FA Cup with a 4-0 victory over Accrington Stanley of League Two. Currently, Liverpool has 47 points and is ranked first in the Premier League, while Nottingham Forest, having played one more game, has 41 points and is temporarily ranked second.
Nottingham Forest's ability to lead many top teams and rank second in the Premier League standings, with an advantage over Liverpool in both matches, is quite remarkable. Manchester United sold Elanga to Nottingham Forest, which contributed to Nottingham Forest's development. In the match against Liverpool, Elanga provided a through ball that broke through Liverpool's defense, and Wood took the opportunity to score with a low shot.
In this game, Elanga repeatedly created threats and made significant defensive contributions. He completed 2 dribbles, 2 key passes, was fouled once, had 2 clearances, 1 tackle, and 1 interception, earning a post-match rating of 7.9, the highest of the game. Elanga can break through and pass well, often dropping deep, and he was very active in the game, largely disrupting Liverpool's rhythm. When Nottingham Forest faced Liverpool for the first time this season, it was also Elanga who provided the assist. In the last six rounds of the Premier League, Elanga has been able to score or assist in every game, with his 3 goals and 3 assists keeping Nottingham Forest close behind Liverpool.
Last season in the Premier League, Elanga scored 5 goals and provided 9 assists, helping Nottingham Forest achieve relegation survival. This season so far, he has 3 goals and 5 assists, with Nottingham Forest rising to the top group of the Premier League. When Ten Hag was the head coach of Manchester United, he didn't rate Elanga, instead buying fellow right winger Antony for a transfer fee of 95 million euros, second only to Pogba's 105 million euros in Manchester United's history. Although Pogba's attitude wasn't good, his abilities were undeniable, and he helped enhance Manchester United's strength, whereas Antony turned out to be an expensive flop.
In the summer of 2023, Ten Hag transferred Elanga for a fee of 17.5 million euros, making him the current Forest Elanga. As for Antony, Manchester United is stuck with him.