Troy Deeney Says Nottingham Forest Player ‘Ran the Show’ Against Liverpool — It Wasn’t Morgan Gibbs-White
Nottingham Forest produced one of their most eye-catching performances of the early Premier League season when they held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at Anfield, and although Morgan Gibbs-White naturally attracted plenty of attention, former Premier League striker Troy Deeney believes another Forest player was the real standout.
Gibbs-White played a major role in the result, scoring and providing an assist as Forest secured an impressive point away from home. However, Deeney’s assessment focused on James McAtee, whose performance in midfield earned him significant praise.
Forest entered the contest under pressure after suffering consecutive defeats against Leeds United. Questions had begun to emerge about their form and whether Oliver Glasner’s side could respond against one of the strongest teams in the division. Instead, Forest showed character, attacking quality and composure to take the game to Liverpool.
The 2-2 draw was particularly impressive because Forest were not simply content to defend. They created problems for Liverpool and demonstrated the confidence to play football in dangerous areas of the pitch.
Gibbs-White was once again influential. The Forest captain has become one of the club’s most important creative players, and his contribution at Anfield reinforced why the team continues to rely heavily on his ability to produce decisive moments.
Yet Deeney believes McAtee deserved even more recognition.
McAtee started in central midfield alongside Xaver Schlager, with Ibrahim Sangare unavailable. Despite playing in a position that has not always been considered his natural role, the Manchester City loanee looked comfortable and confident against Liverpool.
According to Deeney, McAtee controlled the contest from midfield and repeatedly found opportunities to receive the ball between the lines.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Deeney described the Forest midfielder as someone who “absolutely ran the game at Anfield from start to finish,” highlighting his ability to receive possession in pockets, turn under pressure and move the ball forward.
That assessment is significant because Liverpool away is one of the most demanding environments for any midfielder. The intensity, pressing and quality of Liverpool’s players can make it difficult for opponents to establish rhythm. McAtee, however, appeared willing to take responsibility and demand possession.
His performance also demonstrated the value of having technically gifted players who can operate between midfield and attack. Rather than simply playing safe passes, McAtee looked to progress the ball and connect Forest’s midfield with their attacking players.
That was particularly important because Forest needed to remain competitive in possession while also taking advantage of spaces around Liverpool’s midfield.
Deeney’s comments also underline a wider point about Forest’s squad. Gibbs-White may be the player who receives the headlines most frequently, but the team cannot depend on one individual to carry its creative responsibility throughout an entire Premier League campaign.
McAtee’s emergence therefore provides Glasner with another potentially important option.
His combination with Gibbs-White and Dan Ndoye was one of the most encouraging aspects of Forest’s display. The movement between the attacking players made it difficult for Liverpool to predict where the next threat would come from, while McAtee’s willingness to move into useful positions gave Forest another route through midfield.
For McAtee himself, the performance could prove hugely important. Young players often need one major performance against a top opponent to convince everyone around them that they belong at this level. Doing it at Anfield, against Liverpool, provides an even stronger statement.
There is also an interesting consequence from Forest’s transfer business. With the transfer window now closed, McAtee has an opportunity to establish himself as a regular part of Glasner’s plans. The midfielder can take confidence from the club’s decision not to bring in another central midfielder on deadline day.
Forest will need consistency from him, however. One impressive performance is not enough to guarantee a starting position in a competitive squad. The challenge now is to reproduce the same energy, technical quality and courage in subsequent matches.
Nevertheless, the Liverpool draw has provided Forest with plenty of encouragement. After two disappointing defeats, the team responded against one of the Premier League’s biggest sides and showed that it possesses the quality to compete at the highest level.
Gibbs-White’s goal and assist will understandably dominate much of the discussion, but Deeney’s praise for McAtee offers another perspective.
The Forest midfielder may not have scored or provided the headline-making contribution, but his control, movement and willingness to dictate play made a lasting impression.
For Nottingham Forest, that could ultimately be just as important. If McAtee can continue performing at this level alongside Gibbs-White and Forest’s other attacking players, Glasner could have another major weapon at his disposal.
The Anfield draw was therefore more than just a valuable point. It offered evidence that Forest have several players capable of influencing major Premier League matches.
And according to Troy Deeney, when it came to running the show at Anfield, the player deserving the biggest praise was not Gibbs-White.
It was James McAtee.
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