Liverpool are pushing for UEFA Champions League qualification, and they cannot afford to slip up anymore, especially in the game vs Nottingham Forest this weekend. It has been a disappointing season for the Premier League champions, and they are sixth in the table.
Arne Slot’s men have picked up just two wins from the last six Premier League matches. The Reds need to raise their performance levels if they want to compete in the UEFA Champions League next season. On the other hand, Nottingham Forest are fighting for survival.
The Tricky Trees will look to pick up a positive result at home. They managed to beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield earlier in the season. They will certainly fancy their chances at home. Forest are unbeaten in five of the last six Premier League matches, and it will be interesting to see if they can grind out all three points here. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
John Victor and Chris Wood, Nicolo Savona, and Willy Boly are ruled out due to their respective knee injuries. Meanwhile, Matz Sels is struggling with a groin injury.
Nottingham Forest will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Liverpool, with Stefan Ortega in goal. Neco Williams and Ola Aina will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things tight at the back and help out going forward. Murillo will start alongside Nikola Milenkovic at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Ibrahim Sangare will add physicality and drive alongside Elliot Anderson, who will aim to provide defensive cover and control. Morgan Gibbs-White will add creativity and goals to the side in the final third.
Omari Hutchinson and Callum Hudson-Odoi will start on the flanks, and they will look to add pace, flair, and unpredictability going forward. Finally, Igor Jesus will lead the line for Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Igor Jesus
The away team will be without Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring), Giovanni Leoni (knee), Conor Bradley (knee), and Alexander Isak (fracture) this weekend.
Liverpool are likely to start in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Nottingham Forest, with Alisson Becker in goal. Joe Gomez and Milos Kerkez will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk will form the central defensive partnership.
As for the midfield unit, Ryan Gravenberch will start alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, aiming to add control and composure to the team. Alexis Mac Allister will look to create opportunities for teammates in the final third. Hugo Ekitike will lead the line for Liverpool, with Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitike
The Hungarian international is the best player at Liverpool right now, and they will depend on him to get a good result here. He will look to help create opportunities for his teammates and help them control the game from the middle of the park.
Szoboszlai could make a defining contribution from set pieces as well. He has scored multiple goals from free-kicks this season, and that could prove to be a huge asset for Liverpool as they look to secure a positive result here. Nottingham Forest will need to keep him quiet if they want to win the game.
Both teams will be desperate for a victory here for very different reasons. The home team will look to secure survival in the Premier League and continue their recent upturn in form. They have been difficult to beat in recent weeks. They will certainly fancy their chances of getting a good result here.
On the other hand, Liverpool will be desperate for a top-four finish. Neither team is defensive in their approach, so this could be an open game with plenty of chances. Both teams are likely to get on the score sheet, but they could cancel each other out.
