Nottingham Forest hosts Liverpool in a highly anticipated Premier League clash at the City Ground on Tuesday night. Both teams are coming off confident performances in the FA Cup but have contrasting league ambitions heading into this fixture.
Team News: Liverpool
Liverpool will be without Darwin Nunez, who is serving a one-match suspension after accumulating five yellow cards in the league. Additionally, Joe Gomez remains sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained last month and is yet to resume training.
Despite these absences, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is confident about his team’s readiness. Reflecting on their September loss to Forest, Slot emphasized the importance of tactical adjustments to overcome the hosts this time.
Team News: Nottingham Forest
Forest’s injury concerns are minimal, with Ibrahim Sangare out due to a hamstring issue. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has a nearly full-strength squad, boosted by the return of Danilo, who made his comeback from a broken ankle in the FA Cup win against Luton Town.
Espirito Santo made 11 changes for that FA Cup fixture, underlining the depth and rotation options available to his team. Forest’s resilience and tactical discipline were evident in their September 1-0 win over Liverpool, a result they’ll aim to replicate.
Key Players to Watch
- Liverpool: With Nunez out, the spotlight falls on Diogo Jota and Dominik Szoboszlai, who were instrumental in the 4-0 FA Cup win against Accrington Stanley.
- Nottingham Forest: Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi are expected to start and will look to exploit Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Recent Form
- Forest: 2-0 win over Luton Town in the FA Cup, unbeaten in their last three matches across all competitions.
- Liverpool: 4-0 thrashing of Accrington Stanley, with a dominant display showcasing their attacking depth.
Match Insights
- Nottingham Forest is one of only two teams to defeat Liverpool since Arne Slot’s appointment.
- Liverpool is determined to avoid another upset as they aim to close the gap on league leaders.
- Forest’s third-place position highlights their consistent performances this season under Espirito Santo.
Prediction
With both teams in strong form, this match promises to be an intense battle. Liverpool will look to avenge their September loss, while Forest aims to cement their top-three spot.
