Liverpool warned as Morgan Gibbs-White issues Nottingham Forest message

Morgan Gibbs-White admits Nottingham Forest endured a "difficult time," but the team's dominant 3-0 Europa League win over Fenerbahce has boosted confidence ahead of facing Liverpool

Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White scored on Thursday(Image: Getty Images)

Morgan Gibbs-White has acknowledged that Nottingham Forest's commanding 3-0 triumph over Fenerbahce could serve as an ideal confidence boost following a "difficult time."

That's exactly what Arne Slot and Liverpool do not want to hear, with the Reds facing Forest at the City Ground on Sunday. That will be Vitor Pereira's first Premier League game in charge of the Nottingham club following his appointment.

Forest made the ideal start to Pereira's reign on Thursday, comprehensively defeating the Turkish team at the Chobani Stadyumu in the opening leg of the Europa League playoff. Goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus and Gibbs-White put Forest firmly in control of the English outfit's bid to reach the last 16 of the competition, ahead of next week's second leg at the City Ground.

Forest was outstanding throughout, making light work of the challenge of performing under a fourth manager this season.

"His message to us is that we will have a real identity to how we play and defend as a team," Gibbs-White said of Pereira, with Liverpool fans listening.

"We have all bought into what he wants straight away.

Vitor Pereira won his first game in charge of Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty Images)

"It is about keep learning off each other and take it game by game. We needed a clean sheet, and we needed a win, and today felt like the perfect moment.

"Our fans were top tonight, they were incredible. An all-round incredible day."

Pereira had precious little time to prepare his players ahead of the match in Istanbul, having been named as Sean Dyche's successor on Sunday.

He inherits a side that has also been managed by Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou during the current campaign.

"I felt we had a real identity out there," Gibbs-White told TNT Sports (via the BBC). "We defended well and we created so many chances."

"You want to enjoy every moment as a player. I said yesterday it can be difficult as a footballer to enjoy moments because of how quick the games come up.

"We can enjoy it tonight and then prepare for Liverpool at the weekend.

"We have been going through a difficult time, confidence is the main thing and tonight will boost confidence. We just have to stay together and be the most complete team."