MX23RW : Thursday, October 10 14:45:53| >> :120:3650:3650:
[monks data]
Liverpool logo
Premier League | Gameweek 4
Sep 14, 2024 at 3pm UK
Anfield
Nottingham Forest logo

Liverpool
0 - 1
Nott'm Forest


Robertson (62'), Gravenberch (83'), Szoboszlai (86'), Alexander-Arnold (90+4')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Hudson-Odoi (72')
Moreno (44'), Yates (45+1'), Sels (66'), Elanga (90+2')

Preview: Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Premier League clash between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two unbeaten Premier League records will be on the line at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, when Liverpool welcome Nottingham Forest to their Merseyside home.

Arne Slot's men eased past bitter foes Manchester United 3-0 before the international break, while the Tricky Trees settled for a point in a 1-1 draw versus Wolverhampton Wanderers.


Match preview

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah pictured in September 2024© Imago

On a day where the headlines should have been Mohamed Salah's latest Old Trafford masterclass, the Liverpool great instead added fuel to the fire surrounding his contract situation by claiming that he was preparing for the 2024-25 campaign as if it was his last in a Reds jersey.

Should the Egyptian indeed sever ties with Liverpool in nine months' time, he will do so having tormented Man United once again, having laid on a pair of assists for Luis Diaz before bagging his customary Theatre of Dreams goal in a Reds rout two weekends ago.

The three-goal trouncing of Erik ten Hag's side saw Slot achieve something that Jurgen Klopp only did once in his eight full Liverpool seasons - win the opening three games of a league campaign - and the Reds' fast start means that only goals scored is keeping them below Manchester City in top spot.

Having already laid down several markers on Merseyside, Slot could etch his name into the Premier League record books already this weekend, as no manager has ever kept four clean sheets in their first four matches in charge of the competition since 1992.

Furthermore, ex-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri was the last to win their opening four games - clean sheet or not - in 2018, and it has been a full decade since Liverpool last suffered a home defeat immediately after an international break, being bested by Aston Villa in September 2014.

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo on August 2, 2024© Imago

Also yet to experience that sinking feeling of defeat this season - at least not in the top flight - Nuno Espirito Santo's Nottingham Forest entered the international hiatus on the back of two stalemates and one success to kick off the new term, sharing the points with Bournemouth and edging out Southampton before their manager's Wolves reunion.

Towering talisman Chris Wood needed just 10 minutes to flaunt his aerial prowess, rising highest to head home an Elliot Anderson corner, but only a couple of moments later, a Jean-Ricner Bellegarde beauty salvaged a point for Santo's erstwhile employers.

One of only two sides to have drawn two of their opening three matches this term - the other being Bournemouth - Santo's troops occupy ninth position in the embryonic standings, a ranking that their faithful would accept with open arms come the end of the term.

Including their narrow triumph over relegated Burnley on the final day of last season, Forest are now unbeaten in four straight Premier League matches - their best-ever run under Santo - while also winning each of their last three on the road; not since 1995 has that streak stretched to four.

However, speaking of three-match winning sequences, Liverpool have prevailed in each of their last three Premier League showdowns with Forest and have not lost to the Garibaldi at Anfield since 1969, when the late, great Bill Shankly was at the helm.

Liverpool Premier League form:
  • W
  • W
  • W

Nottingham Forest Premier League form:
  • D
  • W
  • D


Nottingham Forest form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • D


Team News

Italy's Federico Chiesa pictured in June 2024© Imago

Despite being eligible to make his debut for Liverpool in the crushing of Man United, Federico Chiesa was held back as he built up his fitness levels, but a Reds baptism may now await the ex-Juventus attacker off the bench.

There is also optimism that Curtis Jones's groin problem will settle down in time for the weekend, while Alexis Mac Allister also shook off an adductor issue while playing for Argentina and should be fine to start on Saturday too.

However, the Reds have reportedly lost the versatile Harvey Elliott to a broken foot, which will sideline the 21-year-old for at least six and potentially up to eight weeks, leaving Salah without one of his recognised backups as he chases a fourth goal from as many games this season.

While Liverpool may have one new player appearing for the first time on Saturday, Forest could give James Ward-Prowse and Morato their first minutes in a Tricky Trees shirt, although the former is much more likely to feature from the first whistle due to Ibrahim Sangare's recent knock.

Only two more of Santo's players are taking up beds in the infirmary, as Danilo recovers from the sickening ankle injury he sustained on the opening weekend, while defender Willy Boly hurt his calf on international duty and is unavailable too.

Expected to keep former Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi at bay despite his international exploits, Wood will endeavour to finally score a league goal against the Reds at the 12th time of asking, having never made the net bulge versus Saturday's hosts in 11 previous league affairs.


Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina; Ward-Prowse, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood


SM words green background

We say: Liverpool 2-0 Nottingham Forest

While it is still very early days in Slot's reign, it is difficult to highlight any weaknesses in this current Liverpool team, who should have no problems keeping low-scoring specialists Forest at bay.

The international break should not have disrupted the Reds' momentum too much, so we can only picture Slot's 100% record staying intact as Forest head home empty-handed.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


ID:552675:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect11346:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Liverpool vs Nott'm Forest

Liverpool
87.9%
Draw
6.7%
Nottingham Forest
5.4%
315
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool manager Arne Slot pictured on August 11, 2024
Read Next:
Breaking point: Liverpool man 'out for weeks' with foot fracture
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool76011321118
2Manchester CityMan City7520178917
3Arsenal7520156917
4Chelsea7421168814
5Aston Villa7421129314
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton73311310312
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle733187112
8Fulham7322108211
9Tottenham HotspurSpurs7313148610
10Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest724176110
11Brentford73131313010
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham72231011-18
13Bournemouth7223810-28
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd722358-38
15Leicester CityLeicester7133912-36
16Everton7124715-85
17Ipswich TownIpswich7043614-84
18Crystal Palace7034510-53
19Southampton7016415-111
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves7016921-121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!