Liverpool look to maintain their bright start to the season as they host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at Anfield this Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s men sit fourth in the table, just three points off leaders Tottenham, whereas Forest languish in 15th, following a run of five games without a win.
Here’s all you need to know about this Sunday’s clash.
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest – Premier League Match Preview:
Form
Liverpool: WLWDW
After failing to secure Champions League qualification last season, the Reds are in the title picture this campaign after losing just once this term, to leaders Tottenham in a game full of VAR controversy.
A Mohamed Salah brace helped the Reds beat Everton in the Merseyside derby last time out. Only Erling Haaland (9), has more Premier League goals than the Egyptian’s seven, and the winger also has four assists to his name.
A well-deserved @StanChart Player of the Month award for @MoSalah in September 👌 pic.twitter.com/nVLgnUG1kt
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 24, 2023
Klopp’s new look midfield of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have provided the Reds with energy in the middle of the park, as the three were able to control the Merseyside derby with 78% possession.
Andrew Robertson has had surgery on his shoulder and will be out until the new year, while Curtis Jones remains suspended. There’s better news on Cody Gakpo, who will be in contention for selection after being out with a knee injury.
Nottingham Forest: DLDDD
Steve Cooper’s men have been the league’s draw specialists as of late, with four of their last five Premier League games ending all square, but the Nottinghamshire club will be frustrated they didn’t taste victory last time out against Luton.
A Chris Wood brace left the former European champions two goals to the good going into the closing stages, but a Chiedozie Ogbene strike set up a grandstand finish with seven minutes to go.
The Premier League newcomers snatched a point in stoppage time through Elijah Adebayo. Had Forest been able to hold on to all three points, it would have jumped them four places up the table to 11th.
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) October 26, 2023
The away side will still be without last season’s top scorer, Taiwo Awoniyi, who has a hip problem and will miss the clash with his former side. The striker scored or assisted in Forest’s first five league games and his side are winless in the two matches since his injury.
Last meeting
Liverpool 3-2 Nottingham Forest, April 22nd 2023
The fortunes of both teams have changed drastically in the six months since their last meeting. Liverpool were eighth and Forest were sat second bottom, and winless in 11, before the sides played out a Premier League classic at Anfield.
After a poor first half, the Merseyside outfit took the lead through Diogo Jot, but were pegged back by a deflected effort from ex-Red Neco Williams to silence the Anfield crowd.
Jota scored a second to restore Liverpool’s lead, with a composed volley following a set-piece from Andrew Robertson. However, Liverpool let the away side back into the game a second time when Morgan Gibbs-White’s strike found the back of the net.
Mohamed Salah would grab the winner three minutes later with his 16th Premier League goal of the season to close the gap to the top four to six points with seven games to play.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Nottingham Forest: Turner; Aurier, Boly, Murillo, Toffolo; Mangala, Sangare, Dominguez; Gibbs-White, Wood, Elanga.
Who is the referee?
Chris Kavanagh.
Is Liverpool v Nottingham Forest on TV?
UK and Ireland: Not televised live.
USA: Peacock.
What time is kick off?
Sunday 29th October, 14:00pm GMT.
Odds
Liverpool – 2/7
Draw – 19/4
Nottingham Forest – 9/1
