Diogo Jota came off the bench to spare Liverpool's blushes as the Premier League leaders earned a potentially crucial point in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Forest entered Tuesday's game on a seven-match winning run in all competitions and as the only team to have beaten Liverpool in league action this term, winning 1-0 at Anfield in September.

They threatened to complete a famous double when Chris Wood gave them an early lead, slotting across Alisson and into the bottom-right corner after being fed by Anthony Elanga.

Forest were comfortable until the 66th minute, but a double substitution made by Arne Slot proved inspired. Jota and Kostas Tsimikas entered the fray and immediately combined for the leveller, the former nodding the latter's corner home.

Jota was central to everything positive about Liverpool's play from then on, and he saw two efforts repelled by Matz Sels – the second a brilliant sprawling stop that was backed up by Ola Aina in the first of two excellent clearances.

Sels saved his best stops for last by springing to his right to tip Mohamed Salah's curler over and turning Cody Gakpo's drive around the post, as Forest held on for a point that takes them second in the table.

Liverpool remain six points clear of Forest with a game in hand, though their advantage at the summit could be cut to four points when Arsenal host Tottenham on Wednesday.

Data Debrief: Jota spares Liverpool blushes

Forest needed a memorable rearguard action to claim all three points at Anfield earlier this season, but they did not play like the underdogs on Tuesday, preventing Liverpool from registering a single shot on target throughout a comfortable first half.

However, Jota's introduction changed the game, with his equaliser coming just 22 seconds after he entered the fray. That is the fastest goal by a Liverpool substitute on record in the Premier League (since 2006-07).

Despite only coming on in the 66th minute, Jota had more shots on target than any other Liverpool player (three), with his fellow attackers – Salah in particular – struggling.

Liverpool dug deep, though, to claim a potentially vital draw. Their 14 points gained from losing positions this season are the most of any Premier League side.