Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest match preview
Liverpool return from the final international break of the year still struggling with inconsistency, and Anfield welcomes a Nottingham Forest side who are gradually finding their feet under Sean Dyche on Saturday afternoon.
Arne Slot’s side suffered a crushing defeat at Manchester City, ending a short run of improvement and further weakening lingering title talk on Merseyside.
The 3-0 defeat included two deflected goals, but Liverpool were second, repeatedly undone by Jeremy Doku and unable to create any sustained pressure of their own.
This setback leaves the champions uncomfortable between the title race and the reality of mid-table, their gap with leaders Arsenal being eight points.
Nonetheless, their form at Anfield remains a brighter benchmark: four wins in five home league matches this season, and more than a year since their last home draw in the top flight.
Forest arrives believing they can disrupt this rhythm again. They blanked Liverpool at Anfield in September 2024 and are now chasing back-to-back away league wins against the Reds for the first time since the early 1960s.
Dyche’s imprint is also becoming clearer: Forest have lost just one of their last five games in all competitions and claimed a vital 3-1 win over Leeds before the break, a result which moved them to within just one point of safety.
Team news for Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
Liverpool finally have some encouraging news on the injury front. Alisson Becker is expected to return after recovering from a hamstring problem, leaving Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) as the only confirmed absentees.
Alexander Isak, rested at the Etihad, should be available again to lead the line, while Mohamed Salah is set for his 300th Premier League appearance.
Forest, meanwhile, are expecting several players. Chris Wood (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip), Dilane Bakwa and Callum Hudson-Odoi (thigh) are monitored ahead of kick-off. #Ola Aina, Douglas Luiz and Angus Gunn are sidelined.
If Wood fails to do so, Dyche can turn to Igor Jesus, Arnaud Kalimuendo or former Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi as a focal point. Morgan Gibbs-White, now on a two-game league goal streak, will once again operate just behind the striker.
Expected line-ups for Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
Liverpool: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Isaac
Nottingham Forest: Sales; Savona, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams; Sangaré, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hutchinson; Awoniyi
How to watch Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest: TV channel, online streaming
The match will not be broadcast in the UK due to the Saturday 3pm blackout rule.
Liverpool – Nottingham Forest match stats
- Liverpool have won four of their five home league matches this season
- Forest have lost just one of their last five matches in all competitions
- Liverpool’s 44-match Premier League run ended against Man City before the break
- Forest have averaged more shots and xG under Dyche than under their two previous managers this season
- Forest took four points from Liverpool last season
Prediction
Liverpool
2
–
1
Nottingham Forest
Forest’s structure, direct approach and improved attacking efficiency give them a realistic chance of frustrating Liverpool again, especially with Dyche’s side growing in confidence. Liverpool could benefit from the international reset, but recent performances make it difficult to back them strongly, and Forest look capable of bringing something back from Anfield.
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