After narrowly avoiding relegation and being docked points last season – and despite having less of the ball than any other team in the Premier League – Forest sit in third place in the Premier League, behind Arsenal only on goal difference.
In a gleaming barber’s shop in the shadow of Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, Feras Al-Youssef is snipping his client’s hair with lightning efficiency, the clippings flying like silver filings to the floor.
It feels possible’: Nottingham Forest fans dare to dream European football seems attainable as one of England’s oldest clubs enjoys its moment ahead of Liverpool clash.
Endorphins have been throbbing around this part of the East Midlands in recent weeks with an intensity last felt during the heady days of 1979-80, when Forest won back-to-back European Cups under the stewardship of club hero Brian Clough.
And while comparisons to Leicester’s fairytale season of 2015-16 may still seem far-fetched with half a season to play, under the Portuguese manager Nuno Espírito Santo, fans are getting giddy.
