Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Liverpool are aiming to recover from their humiliating defeat away at Manchester City when they host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The Reds have had the international break to lick their wounds after a dismal 3–0 defeat to City in their last outing and will be desperate for redemption on their return. They are now firmly on the periphery of the Premier League title race as their grasp on their crown slips.

Victory over Forest, whom they failed to beat in either Premier League duel last term including an Anfield defeat, would move them within five points of table-toppers Arsenal before Sunday’s north London derby. But Liverpool know perfection is now required to retain their title—and current form suggests they will fall short.

After a mini-resurgence in victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, Liverpool appeared to have turned the corner, but another dire display at City will have dented confidence. Forest, who secured their first league win of the Sean Dyche era before the international period, will be keen to take advantage of low morale.

They start the weekend in the relegation zone having already cycled through several managers, but their 3–1 win over Leeds United offers hope of a revival. Draws with Manchester United and Sturm Graz prior to beating the Whites, as well as a win over Porto, suggest things are moving in the right direction.

Here is Sports Illustrated’s guide to the clash.

FREE NEWSLETTER. New SI FC Newsletter Global Embed. Sign Up to Get Informed With SI FC. dark

Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

Current Form (All Competitions)

Liverpool

Nottingham Forest

Man City 3–0 Liverpool – 11/0911/25

Nottingham Forest 3–1 Leeds – 11/09/25

Liverpool 1–0 Real Madrid – 11/04/25

Sturm Graz 0–0 Nottingham Forest – 11/06/25

Liverpool 2–0 Aston Villa – 11/01/25

Nottingham Forest 202 Man Utd – 11/01/25

Liverpool 0–3 Crystal Palace – 10/29/25

Bournemouth 2–0 Nottingham Forest – 10/26/25

Brentford 3–2 Liverpool – 10/25/25

Nottingham Forest 2–0 Porto – 10/23/25

Country

TV channel/live stream

United States

Peacock

United Kingdom

Not televised – audio coverage on BBC Radio Merseyside, BBC Radio Nottingham, BBC Radio 5 Live, talkSPORT

Canada

fuboTV, Fubo Sports Network

Mexico

Caliente TV, FOX One

Florian Wirtz is out of action. / Visionhaus/Getty Images

There is good and bad news for Liverpool on the injury front. Alisson’s much-anticipated return has been confirmed by Slot and will be welcomed by supporters, but injuries to Conor Bradley and Florian Wirtz causes issues.

Wirtz sustained a muscle injury on international duty with Germany despite producing his best performance of the season against Slovakia, while Bradley is expected to be missing for at least the next three weeks.

With Jeremie Frimpong still sidelined, Bradley’s fitness issues could force Slot to call upon Dominik Szoboszlai at right back once again. However, with Wirtz also absent in attacking midfield, the Hungarian might be preferred further forward while Joe Gomez fills in for the Northern Ireland international.

Youngsters Jayden Danns, Stefan Bajcetic and Givoanni Leoni are long-term absentees.

Injuries will force a reshuffle. / FotMob

Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Gomez, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak.

Chris Wood is still missing for Forest. / Clive Mason/Getty Images

The Tricky Trees are inundated with injuries ahead of the trip to Liverpool, with last season’s top goalscorer Chris Wood still absent. The New Zealand international has been missing since the Porto victory and remains absent with a knee problem.

Former Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi is also missing for Forest, meaning Igor Jesus will lead the line on Merseyside. Summer recruits Dilane Bakwa, Douglas Luiz and Oleksandr Zinchenko are all out of action, too.

Backup goalkeeper Angus Gunn remains in the treatment room, as does right back Ola Aina, but Callum Hudson Odoi, who scored the winner at Anfield last term, should make his comeback from a dead leg.

Callum Hudson-Odoi could return for Forest. / FotMob

Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Sels; Savona, Milenković, Murillo, Williams; Sangaré, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus.

Liverpool remain an unpredictable force this season, but their home form has still been largely impressive. Bar the defeat to bitter adversaries Manchester United, they have won all of their Premier League matches at Anfield this term.

Anfield wins over Villa and Madrid underscored Liverpool’s quality when they operate at full tilt and there is still a world-class team somewhere within this current setup.

Given Liverpool’s shaky defence, Forest will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet this Saturday, but they might be overpowered by the home side’s array of attacking threats.

Prediction: Liverpool 2–1 Nottingham Forest

READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND GOSSIP