Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest: Preview, predictions and fixtures

Liverpool aim to maintain their good start to the 2024/25 Premier League season this Saturday when they host Nottingham Forest.

The Reds produced their best performance of the Slot season so far before the international break, heading to Old Trafford and putting rivals Manchester United to the sword in a comfortable 3-0 victory. It was an encouraging display, building on 2-0 victories over Ipswich Town and Brentford, and the Merseyside club are the only team still allowed to enter the English top flight.

Nottingham Forest have enjoyed a good start to 2024/25 themselves, picking up five points from a possible nine under Nuno Espirito Santo. The 1-0 win at Southampton was sandwiched between 1-1 draws with Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Liverpool haven’t found any real life against Forest since the East Midlands club’s return to the Premier League. Their two trips to the City Ground have been difficult, although they were satisfied with a 3-0 victory at Anfield in this fixture last season.

Here it is 90 min Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest guide.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest H2H Record (Last Five Matches)

Current form (all competitions)

Harvey Elliott suffered a serious injury during the international season. This young player, who performed well in the pre-season, broke his foot while playing in England’s Under 21 team and is not expected to return until the end of October.

Alexis Mac Allister has also suffered a setback in international duty and was forced off Argentina’s game against Chile after scoring a goal, but featured in their latest outing against Luis Diaz’s Colombia.

Curtis Jones missed the opening weeks of the season with a hamstring problem but could feature this weekend, while Federico Chiesa could be named on the bench for the first time after signing late in the window. However, Liverpool do not want to rush the Italian player.

Liverpool predicted to face Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota.

Nottingham Forest’s only major injury problem is midfielder Danilo, who broke his ankle on the opening day of the season. He will be sidelined until 2025 and has been replaced by £35m summer signing Elliot Anderson in recent performances.

Neco Williams is in his first chance at Anfield against his former club, having scored against Forest in their 3-2 defeat in April 2023. Taiwo Awoniyi has been on the books at Liverpool for many years without playing for the club and could be used on the bench. . He scored the winner for the Reds in a 1-0 win in October 2022.

Nottingham Forest predicted to face Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina; Sangare, Anderson; Sun, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.

Any problems at the start of Slot’s reign have been absent so far and three encouraging displays point to another path to victory for Liverpool at the weekend. The Reds haven’t been as chaotic as they were under Jurgen Klopp, but the limited approach has served them well.

Forest have been in impressive form themselves and have made life difficult for their opponents this season, proving difficult to break down and deceive in the final third. However, Espirito Santo’s side have never faced a side of Liverpool’s caliber so far and could prove to be the biggest challenge for the Midlands outfit.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Nottingham Forest

READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMORS AND GOSSIP