In their recent Europa League clash, the Reds put on an impressive display, beating Toulouse 5-1. On the other hand, Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest faced disappointment as they squandered a 2-0 lead against Luton Town, resulting in a 2-2 draw last weekend.
The match against Toulouse was a thrilling spectacle, with six goals, missed opportunities on both sides, and young talents making their debuts. Liverpool showcased their prowess in the Europa League, a competition they currently find quite manageable under Jurgen Klopp's guidance. Toulouse did pose some questions for Liverpool, particularly when breaking forward, but the Reds' relentless offense, led by Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch, overwhelmed the opposition. Thijs Dallinga's first-half equalizer was just a brief interruption in Liverpool's dominance.
Notably, Liverpool is on the verge of securing a spot in the Europa League last 16 with their current form. Klopp has led the team to seven consecutive home wins at the start of the season, a feat not achieved since 1990. Their recent Merseyside derby victory over Everton, though somewhat unconvincing at 2-0, kept Liverpool within striking distance of the Premier League's top positions. They are currently in fourth place, only one point behind Manchester City and Arsenal, having scored at least twice in their last four games.
Liverpool's unbeaten run at Anfield in the Premier League now stretches to 16 matches since their surprising 2-1 loss to Leeds United. Interestingly, Nottingham Forest's visit comes exactly one year after that Halloween shocker.
Nottingham Forest's performance against Luton Town saw the combination of Chris Wood and Anthony Elanga working effectively, with the Swedish attacker providing two assists to Wood. However, missed opportunities earlier in the match proved costly, as Chiedozie Ogbene reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute, and Elijah Adebayo secured a dramatic injury-time equalizer, denying Nottingham Forest maximum points.
Reports of Steve Cooper being considered as a potential successor to England head coach Gareth Southgate indicate Forest's struggles in the Premier League. They are currently winless in five league games, with three consecutive draws.
Nottingham Forest has only managed two away wins in the Premier League this season, including notable victories over Chelsea and Southampton. However, their efforts fell short in a 3-2 loss at Anfield to Liverpool. It's been just over a year since Taiwo Awoniyi, a former Reds protege, secured a 1-0 victory for Nottingham Forest against Liverpool at the City Ground. Despite their current position in 15th place, they need to address their slump to avoid a more precarious situation in the league.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Before the impressive win against Toulouse, Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp shared that Andy Robertson had undergone a successful surgery for his dislocated shoulder. Unfortunately, Robertson is expected to be out for the rest of 2023 while he recovers from this injury.He now joins Thiago Alcantara, who has a long-term hip issue, in the injury list as Thiago is rehabilitating from a couple of setbacks. Stefan Bajcetic's calf problem is not likely to be resolved in time for the upcoming weekend, and there's some uncertainty surrounding Ben Doak's availability due to a muscular concern.
Curtis Jones is also unavailable as he serves the final game of his domestic suspension. This absence opens up opportunities for Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to return to the midfield. However, Mac Allister faces stiff competition from Wataru Endo, especially considering Endo's recent performance.
On the Nottingham Forest side, striker Divock Origi won't be making a return to Anfield this week as he's sidelined for a few weeks due to a hip injury. Nottingham Forest has to manage several ongoing injury concerns, including Felipe (knee), Gonzalo Montiel (calf), Danilo (thigh), and Callum Hudson-Odoi (hamstring). While Origi won't face his former club, Taiwo Awoniyi, who has a groin issue, may make a comeback for a reunion in Merseyside alongside Nuno Tavares, who has a similar problem.
Even if Awoniyi is fit to play, Chris Wood's position up front should remain secure for now, and Serge Aurier is expected to keep former Liverpool player Neco Williams at bay in the Nottingham Forest lineup.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Liverpool possible starting lineup:Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Turner; Aurier, Boly, Murillo, Toffolo; Sangare, Mangala, Dominguez; Gibbs-White, Wood, Elanga
EXPERT PREDICTION
Liverpool 3-1 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest is likely to be disheartened by their recent performance, where they surrendered a two-goal lead to newcomers. They might find themselves in a position to attempt a comeback from a 2-0 deficit at Anfield, but it's unlikely that Cooper's team will achieve the same success as Luton did on Sunday.
