Liverpool V Nottingham match preview
Liverpool returned to the final break of the year still struggling with inconsistency, and Anfield held the Nottingham Forest side slowly finding their feet under Sean Dyche on Saturday afternoon.
Arne Slot’s team was signed by a devastating defeat at Manchester City, which ends a short run of improved displays and also eases any talk of the hot topic around MERSEISINE in Mxharesi.
The 3-0 loss included two blocked goals, but Liverpool was the second – leading throughout, they entered often with Jeremy DOKU and could not create their own pressure.
That back-to-back leaves the champions sitting uncomfortably between the title race and the reality of the table, their gap to the men’s leaders sitting at eight points.
However, their form at Anfield remains a bright indicator: They have won from five home leagues this season, and it is more than a year since they last drew an empty net at home in the top flight.
Forest arrives believing it can disrupt that rhythm. They shut out Liverpool at Anfield in September 2024 and are now chasing consecutive reds for the first time since the early 1960s.
Dyche’s imprint is starting to become clear again – Forest have lost just one of their five in all competitions and managed to get ahead of Leeds before the break.
Team News for Liverpool V Nottingham Forest
Liverpool have finally inspired encouraging news up front. Alisson Becker is expected to return after recovering from a hamstring issue, leaving Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) as the only absentees.
Alexander Isak, rested at the Etihad, should be available to lead the line again, while Mohamed Salah is set to make his Premier League appearance.
Forest, meanwhile, are waiting for several players. Chris Wood (Knee), Olenkandr Zinchenko (Hip), Dilane Bangwa and Cellum Hudson-Odoi (thigh) are seen before KickOff. #Ola aina, Douglas Luiz and Angus Gunn were separated.
If wood doesn’t do it, Dyche could turn to Igor Jesus, Arnaud Kalimuendo or former Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi as his focal point. Morgan Gibbs-White, now in the list of two new machines in the league’s offense, will work just behind the striker again.
Expected Line-ups for Liverpool V Nottingham Forest
Liverpool: I’m sorry; Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; It’s still there
Nottingham Forest: Water; Savona, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams; Sangare, and Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hutchinson; You don’t
How to watch Liverpool v Nottingham Forest: TV channel, streaming online
The game will not be broadcast in the UK due to the blackout regime on Saturday at 3pm.
Liverpool V Nottingham Forest Stats
- Liverpool have won four of their five league games this season
- Forest have lost only their last five in all competitions
- Liverpool’s Premier League Scoring Run ended against Man City before the break
- Forest averaged more shots and xg under dyche than under their previous managers this season
- Forest took four points from Liverpool last season
Industry forecasting
Liver pool
2
–
1
Nottingham Forest
Forest’s structure, direct approach and advanced delivery give them a real chance to frustrate Liverpool again, especially in Dyche’s side who are growing in confidence. Liverpool may have an advantage in the foreign set-up, but the recent performance makes it difficult to recover strongly, and Forest looks to be able to take something home from Anfield.
Bet here
