Liverpool return to Anfield after the September international break for Arne Slot’s second competitive game in front of a home crowd against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Having won their opening three Premier League games under the former Feyenoord boss at a relative canter, including a 3-0 win over Manchester United last week, the Reds will be aiming to maintain their perfect record when Forest visit Merseyside.
With things going well for Slot, he will hesitate to make changes to the side that dismantled Man Utd two weeks ago. However, he has some fitness concerns, including midfielder Harvey Elliott’s broken foot during the international season.
Here’s how Liverpool could match up with Forest.
GK: Alisson – The Brazilian kept another clean sheet in his international career to add to the three he already claimed in 2024/25. Even in defensively sound performances, Alisson still produced valuable saves.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Used on his England debut by Lee Carsley, the Liverpool defender starred in the Three Lions’ recent 2-0 win over Finland. He began life under the Slot in a state of confidence.
CB: Ibrahima Konate – The defender has been criticized for his performance against Italy during the international break but he has been flawless in the slot so far. His fitness will be assessed by Forest striker Chris Wood on Saturday.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – The Liverpool captain has been exemplary in the opening weeks of the campaign despite speculation over his future at the club. On current form, the Reds cannot afford to lose him for free next summer.
LB: Andy Robertson – After an injury-plagued 2023/24, Robertson was fit and firing for the Slot in the early weeks of his tenure. Although not yet at his peak, he was solid defensively at Liverpool.
DM: Alexis McAllister – Liverpool supporters were given a scare when Mac Allister was withdrawn against Chile with an injury during the international break. However, the Argentine midfielder has been used as a substitute in the next match against Colombia and will feature this weekend.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch – After accepting a sixth national team role, Gravenberch is off to a great start to the season. The Dutchman has been excellent in and out of midfield.
RW: Mohamed Salah – The Egyptian put Man Utd to the sword again before the international break with a goal and two assists and has been involved in six of Liverpool’s seven goals this season. He is still a talisman at the top.
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai – Despite being inactive as a number ten, Szoboszlai has made an encouraging start to 2024/25 after a difficult start to his first campaign in England. No Liverpool player has created more chances (eight) than him this season.
LW: Luis Diaz – The result used to be something that wasn’t in Diaz’s game but that changed at the start of the new season. A brace against Man Utd followed a goal and assist against Brentford.
ST: Diogo Jota – The Portuguese looks set to drive number nine for now ahead of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo. His work rate and intelligence make him a constant threat in the final third.
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