At the end of the 1970s, there were two teams dominating English football: Bob Paisley’s much-lauded Liverpool and an up-and-coming Nottingham Forest under the guidance of the inimitable Brian Clough. In the final two seasons of the decade, they were the top two in the old First Division, winning a title each. When the two went face-to-face, it felt as if the victor was guaranteed success.
Liverpool have maintained their place at the top tables in England and Europe, whereas Forest’s journey has been more striking, the club dropping to the third tier before making it back to the top flight after almost a quarter of a century away. Now the pair are rivals for trophies again; Liverpool travel to the City Ground on Tuesday at the top of the pile and, much to almost everyone’s surprise, Forest are only two places below and dreaming of reliving the glory days. Win and they will be three points behind, albeit having played a game more.
