Nottingham Forest's manager Nuno Espirito Santo has hit back at suggestions from Liverpool boss Arne Slot that his team's success is down to their financial outlay, ahead of a pivotal Premier League clash.

As the City Ground gears up for Tuesday's critical encounter with league leaders Liverpool, Nuno's side could narrow the gap to just three points with a win, following an impressive run of six straight league victories.

Slot praised Nuno and his team but hinted their achievements were less surprising given their expenditure, saying: "If you look at the money they spent, it's not a complete surprise."

READ MORE: 'It doesn't fit with me' - Arne Slot makes perfectly clear what he simply won't allow at Liverpool

READ MORE: I was part of Liverpool team that thrashed Forest in greatest ever match - but I'd take 1-0 tonight

However, Nuno was quick to dismiss the notion that money was the driving force behind their performances. "I don't know the spending, I don't know the value. That doesn't happen," he insisted.

Focusing on the human aspect of the game, Nuno emphasised his role in player development: "I look at the player as a human being and how I can make them better. How can I make you better? ".

He firmly stated, "Money doesn't play football, people do. It's not my issue, we are not concerned about the price tag of things."

Regarding the talk of a title race, Nuno remained pragmatic, dismissing speculation as contingent on too many 'ifs'.

"We have to play the games. We are here to compete against all the teams, I think we are doing well and nothing changes in our approach," he declared.

Highlighting the importance of self-awareness within his squad, Nuno concluded, "It's the same, more important than anything is we know what we can do, we know each other, our strengths, our weaknesses, let's play the game."

"If we start thinking about ifs...it's if, if, if, if, that's why we always try to approach how we are going to prepare ourselves, how we are going to play the game."

"At the end of the game, there will be no ifs....I'm so sorry, I apologise."

"When we do things good, we should be pleased but too many compliments can distract us, so we don't want to pay too much attention," he said.

"It was the beginning of the season, maybe it was a surprise, but it was a long time ago, many things have changed."

"No one in this room could ever predict what is happening. It is the ambition and desire to do things well and the hard work of the players and commitment."