by Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Esprito Santo says the suggestion his side are involved in a Premier League title race is based on “what if, if, if, if” ahead of a crucial clash with Liverpool.
Forest have propelled themselves to second place in the table after a run of six successive victories and are seen as possible title contenders.
Whether that happens will likely depend on the outcome of their match against Championship leaders Arne Slot on Tuesday.
Victory at the City Ground would put them three points behind Liverpool and firmly in the race.
But Nuno said Forest must let their football do the talking.
“We have to play the games, we are here to play all the teams, I think we are doing well, nothing changes in our approach,” he said.
“It’s the same, the most important thing of all is that we know what we can do, we know ourselves, our strengths, our weaknesses, let’s play the game.
“If we start thinking about the ifs… it’s if, if, if, if, that’s why we always try to approach how we’re going to prepare, how we’re going to play the game.
“At the end of the game, there will be no ifs… I’m really sorry, I apologize.”
Slot was delighted with Nuno and his team during his pre-match press conference, reflecting on the reverse match in August where Liverpool were surprisingly beaten.
And even Nuno is surprised by the turnaround from last season when Forest stayed up on the last day of the campaign.
“When we do good things, we should be happy, but too much praise can distract us, so we don’t want to pay too much attention to it,” he said.
“It was the start of the season, maybe it was a surprise, but it was a long time ago, a lot has changed.
“No one in this room could ever predict what happens. It’s the ambition and the desire to do things well, the hard work of the players and the commitment.
“It continues and we must enjoy what is happening together, but no one can predict what is happening.
“I see a group of players really determined to do well. What may happen in the future we don’t know, but the evidence is that we have already done it.
“We improve through competition, I truly believe that the more time players spend together, the better they can play together.
“I see a good group of people, more than just players, who want to do things together. It’s important, the conviviality, that’s what I really appreciate.
Forest have announced the signing of veteran goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey on a short-term contract until the end of the season.
The 37-year-old, whose previous contract expired at the end of last season, has remained at the club during his recovery and will now compete with Matz Sels and Carlos Miguel.
