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Elliot Anderson is Nottingham Forest’s prize asset

Elliot Anderson is Nottingham Forest’s prize asset

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Elliot Anderson might already be readying himself for the next step in his career with some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs circling. 

By Graham Ruthven

Anfield knows a good all-action midfielder when it sees one. The Liverpool faithful watched Steven Gerrard for over a decade. More recently, Ryan Gravenberch has stood out. On Saturday, it was an opposition player who dominated the centre of the pitch. Elliot Anderson was outstanding.

Nottingham Forest in general were outstanding. They limited Liverpool to only a handful of chances, countered at speed and converted their opportunities in the final third. Murillo, Nicolo Sivona, Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus were all excellent. Nobody, though, was at the level of Elliot Anderson.

He cleared an Alexis Mac Allister shot off the line, saving a certain goal that would have put Liverpool 1-0 up and might have changed the dynamic of the rest of the match. He sent in the corner kick from which Murillo netted the opener. Anderson was involved in almost everything Forest did well.

Only Murillo and Neco Williams made more defensive contributions than Anderson in the 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield. He made four tackles. Two interceptions. Two blocks. Six recoveries. As a barrier in front of the Forest defence, Anderson was a brick wall. Nothing got past him.

In possession, Anderson also had a big influence, registering more touches than any other Nottingham Forest player. He created more chances than any other player on either side besides Dominik Szoboszlai and fired off two shots of his own. This was a complete performance by a midfielder whose stock is very much on the rise.

Anderson’s potential has been clear for years. At Newcastle United, he was considered a star of the future, but it’s at the City Ground where he has developed into one of the best players in his position in the Premier League. It’s no wonder clubs are lining up to pay £100m for him.

Anderson traits comparison against similar players in Top 5 leagues

That’s the reported fee Nottingham Forest are demanding for their prize asset. This would make Anderson the seventh most expensive signing in Premier League history and the fourth most expensive central midfielder behind Enzo Fernández, Declan Rice and Moisés Caicedo. That’s how highly he is now rated.

By almost every measure, Anderson is a statistical standout. He is averaging more accurate passes per 90 minutes than any other Forest player this season. He has also created more Big Chances than anyone else in the City Ground dressing room. All this despite the chaos that has occurred at Forest this term.

Thomas Tuchel has clearly taken note. Anderson has grown into his role as a starting figure for England in 2025 with the 23-year-old in line to star at the 2026 World Cup. Alongside Declan Rice, The Three Lions have had much more security in the centre of the pitch. Anderson has become undroppable. 

“Anderson is a key player for us at the moment,” said Tuchel. “He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League – that’s why he is with us and starting for us. He deserves it because he has been nothing but impressive. He has to keep on going now though. He is a very complete and mobile midfielder, and that’s what he keeps showing me.”

By the time the 2026 World Cup kicks off next summer, Anderson could be playing for another club. Manchester United are reportedly in the market for a new midfielder and the 23-year-old would fit the bill perfectly. Anderson would offer the sort of central dynamism Ruben Amorim is desperate for.

Perhaps inspired by his performance in Saturday’s game at Anfield, Liverpool have also been linked with the Forest man. For whatever reason, Gravenberch and Mac Allister haven’t been the same force in central midfield this season and so Anderson might be an antidote to the Reds’ current ailments. 

Midfielders like Anderson have become even more valuable as the game’s zeitgeist has shifted. With even the best teams now going more direct, playing into open space whenever possible, it’s important to have players who can cover ground and use their physicality to link all areas. Anderson can do that.

Technically, he is also more than capable of holding his own. He can pass. He can create. He can shoot. He is something of a unicorn, hence why Nottingham Forest feel entitled to demand at least £100m for him. West Ham did the same when selling Rice and now Arsenal look at his signing as a bargain.

This season has been chaotic for Nottingham Forest, but Anderson has emerged stronger for that experience. He has been the one constant at the City Ground and others have taken note. £100m would be a lot of money. What Anderson is producing on a regular basis, though, is worth an awful lot too.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Nottingham Forest game on FotMob this season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Elliot Anderson is Nottingham Forest’s prize asset

Elliot Anderson might already be readying himself for the next step in his career with some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs circling. 

By Graham Ruthven

Anfield knows a good all-action midfielder when it sees one. The Liverpool faithful watched Steven Gerrard for over a decade. More recently, Ryan Gravenberch has stood out. On Saturday, it was an opposition player who dominated the centre of the pitch. Elliot Anderson was outstanding.

Nottingham Forest in general were outstanding. They limited Liverpool to only a handful of chances, countered at speed and converted their opportunities in the final third. Murillo, Nicolo Sivona, Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus were all excellent. Nobody, though, was at the level of Elliot Anderson.

He cleared an Alexis Mac Allister shot off the line, saving a certain goal that would have put Liverpool 1-0 up and might have changed the dynamic of the rest of the match. He sent in the corner kick from which Murillo netted the opener. Anderson was involved in almost everything Forest did well.

Only Murillo and Neco Williams made more defensive contributions than Anderson in the 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield. He made four tackles. Two interceptions. Two blocks. Six recoveries. As a barrier in front of the Forest defence, Anderson was a brick wall. Nothing got past him.

In possession, Anderson also had a big influence, registering more touches than any other Nottingham Forest player. He created more chances than any other player on either side besides Dominik Szoboszlai and fired off two shots of his own. This was a complete performance by a midfielder whose stock is very much on the rise.

Anderson’s potential has been clear for years. At Newcastle United, he was considered a star of the future, but it’s at the City Ground where he has developed into one of the best players in his position in the Premier League. It’s no wonder clubs are lining up to pay £100m for him.

Anderson traits comparison against similar players in Top 5 leagues

That’s the reported fee Nottingham Forest are demanding for their prize asset. This would make Anderson the seventh most expensive signing in Premier League history and the fourth most expensive central midfielder behind Enzo Fernández, Declan Rice and Moisés Caicedo. That’s how highly he is now rated.

By almost every measure, Anderson is a statistical standout. He is averaging more accurate passes per 90 minutes than any other Forest player this season. He has also created more Big Chances than anyone else in the City Ground dressing room. All this despite the chaos that has occurred at Forest this term.

Thomas Tuchel has clearly taken note. Anderson has grown into his role as a starting figure for England in 2025 with the 23-year-old in line to star at the 2026 World Cup. Alongside Declan Rice, The Three Lions have had much more security in the centre of the pitch. Anderson has become undroppable. 

“Anderson is a key player for us at the moment,” said Tuchel. “He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League – that’s why he is with us and starting for us. He deserves it because he has been nothing but impressive. He has to keep on going now though. He is a very complete and mobile midfielder, and that’s what he keeps showing me.”

By the time the 2026 World Cup kicks off next summer, Anderson could be playing for another club. Manchester United are reportedly in the market for a new midfielder and the 23-year-old would fit the bill perfectly. Anderson would offer the sort of central dynamism Ruben Amorim is desperate for.

Perhaps inspired by his performance in Saturday’s game at Anfield, Liverpool have also been linked with the Forest man. For whatever reason, Gravenberch and Mac Allister haven’t been the same force in central midfield this season and so Anderson might be an antidote to the Reds’ current ailments. 

Midfielders like Anderson have become even more valuable as the game’s zeitgeist has shifted. With even the best teams now going more direct, playing into open space whenever possible, it’s important to have players who can cover ground and use their physicality to link all areas. Anderson can do that.

Technically, he is also more than capable of holding his own. He can pass. He can create. He can shoot. He is something of a unicorn, hence why Nottingham Forest feel entitled to demand at least £100m for him. West Ham did the same when selling Rice and now Arsenal look at his signing as a bargain.

This season has been chaotic for Nottingham Forest, but Anderson has emerged stronger for that experience. He has been the one constant at the City Ground and others have taken note. £100m would be a lot of money. What Anderson is producing on a regular basis, though, is worth an awful lot too.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Nottingham Forest game on FotMob this season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.