Liverpool and Forest are competing strongly in the title race.

Nuno Espirito Santo has led Nottingham Forest to secure third place in the Premier League.

When Nottingham Forest hosts Liverpool at the City Ground next week, it will be a top-of-the-table clash that few could have envisioned back in August.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side trails the league leaders by six points following a commanding 3-0 victory over Wolves on Monday. A win against Liverpool on Tuesday, January 14 — a team they already defeated at Anfield earlier this season — could only heighten the buzz around their title ambitions.

From narrowly avoiding relegation last season, finishing 17th amidst financial penalties and boardroom turmoil, Nuno has orchestrated a remarkable transformation.

Discussions about Forest's title credentials have only recently gained traction, reflecting the stability Nuno has brought and his knack for tempering even the loftiest praise.

Despite Forest sitting third, level on points with Arsenal and just behind on goal difference, Nuno remains unfazed. During his post-match press conference at Molineux, he joked about his reluctance to look at the standings.

"Maybe at the end of the season, I’ll take a look. I promise you, guys," he said with a smile. "We’re focused on building something special together. The journey is what matters, not the table. We just keep pushing forward."

The Portuguese manager, however, won’t be able to avoid the growing spotlight for long. When asked about the Liverpool match, he quickly redirected focus to their FA Cup third-round game against Luton on Saturday.

"I'm sorry not to answer directly, but that’s the reality," he said. "We need to prepare for Luton. The FA Cup is important for us, and it’s an opportunity to rotate the squad, give players minutes, and build fitness and rhythm for the long season ahead. First, Luton."

Forest remains the only team to have beaten Liverpool in the Premier League this season. Should they repeat the feat and complete the double over Arne Slot's side, it would signify far more than just intent.

"If they beat Liverpool, they’re in the title race," said former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports. "And with the Champions League potentially extending to the top five positions, Forest has a fantastic chance."

Qualifying for the Champions League "would be absolutely incredible."

Forest fans are beginning to dream of a return to European football for the first time since the 1995-96 season, with Champions League qualification now firmly within reach.

Currently, Forest sits five points clear of fifth-placed Newcastle and six ahead of Manchester City.

"It would be absolutely incredible," said midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, who opened the scoring against his former club. "Some fans might even get to experience it for the second time. Giving them that opportunity again is what we’re striving for as a club.

"The owner believes in it, we believe in it. But we need to stay grounded, take it one game at a time, and remain humble."

England manager Thomas Tuchel, who was in attendance at Molineux, will no doubt have been impressed by Forest’s clinical performance and the composure they displayed in dismantling their hosts.

Gibbs-White, who made his senior England debut under interim coach Lee Carsley in September, is likely to be in contention for Tuchel’s first squad for World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia in March.

"I didn’t even know he was here," Gibbs-White admitted. "I’m focused on club football right now. We’ll see what happens when March comes, but knowing [Tuchel was here] definitely puts a smile on my face."

The midfielder’s seventh-minute strike set the tone for Forest’s dominant display, bringing their points total to 40 from 20 matches—a remarkable achievement.

Forest celebrate Clough's anniversary with a memorable victory.

A bit of luck and Sels kept us in the game," says Nuno Espirito Santo after Forest's win.

Forest's victory at Wolves, featuring goals from Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi, along with a stellar performance by goalkeeper Matz Sels, coincided with the 50th anniversary of Brian Clough's appointment at the club.

Clough, the legendary manager, transformed Forest from a second division team into English champions within three years, and led them to back-to-back European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980.

Nuno Espirito Santo reflected on the significance of the day, saying, "It means a lot for us because Brian Clough is a legend of the club. His influence is everywhere in Nottingham, at our stadium, and at our training ground. That legacy can only inspire us."

He added, "But we must keep pushing forward. Our happiness comes from how the players work together, and that’s what makes us proud."

It was fitting that Nuno acknowledged this anniversary. Though their styles are vastly different, Nuno’s potential to bring Forest back to Europe's elite could one day see him compared to Clough, should he succeed in that endeavor.