Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool Match Preview
Nottingham Forest take on Liverpool in the Premier League on this week. The relegation battlers are taking on the title challengers in a David vs Goliath battle at the City Ground.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Liverpool, Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo stated that his side needed to be clinical on the pitch to get any result. He said:
“We need to be clinical with the chances we have and control the game because they have real speed and quality. It will require a lot of effort from us but we have to keep this idea of playing and going forward no matter what opponent we have because that’s what our team needs. Our players need the freedom because they have the talent, so let’s reinforce the things that we do good and defensively we have to be aware of the quality of Liverpool players.”
Jurgen Klopp had praise for his opponents and stated that they were unpredictable. He said:
“Forest made some changes from the last game, so we roughly know who to expect and besides that at the moment our preparation, yes, but we look at the opponent and it is clear it is a real task to find out how we can line up with all the games played. It’s always about us before games because we demand different things but this time a bit more than others. Once we know we can talk about other teams but we will see. Newcastle, Man Utd, Villa… it’s not been easy for teams [at Forest] with the counter-attacking threat they have. Protection is massive for us. We have to control that part of the game as well. We want to play the game, a great atmosphere, definitely.”
Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in their last 13 league games at home against Liverpool but only six of those have come in the Premier League.
Team News
Nottingham Forest have a few injury issues to deal with ahead of Liverpool’s visit. Chris Wood, Nuno Tavares, Ola Aina, Willy-Arnaud Boly, and Ibrahim Sangaré are ruled out for the game this weekend.
Jurgen Klopp has more headaches than Nuno Espirito Santo to deal with this week. Joël Matip, Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Stefan Bajcetic, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, and Thiago Alcântara ruled out this week and are not expected back soon.
Also read: Liverpool could let 3 big stars leave in the summer, including Luis Diaz: Reports
Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai have trained this week and could make it to the team. Klopp said:
“Darwin and Dom trained y’day with the team. We’ll see how they react. Wataru and Robbo didn’t but there’s a plan they join today. Ibou…is nothing, time sharing. Lucho is fine. Macca is fine. All look. Little problem we didn’t know about was Macca was ill for 1 and a half days, Robbo same thing, hopefully it hasn’t spread.”
Wataru Endo and Mohamed Salah are also doubtful for the game and are unlikely to make it to the matchday squad.
Predicted Lineups
Nottingham Forest will be making a few changes from their team that lose 1-0 to Manchester United in the FA Cup. Matz Sels could be starting in the goal ahead of Matt Turner, but the backline should remain intact.
Danilo will have Nicolas Dominguez in the midfield with him while Morgan Gibbs-White plays in the attacking role in front of them. Callum Hudson-Odoi should come in for Divock Origi but Anthony Elanga keeps his place on the right wing. Taiwo Awoniyi should be the lone man up front.
Predicted XI: Matz Sels, Neco Williams, Felipe, Murillo, Harry Toffolo, Danilo, Nicolás Domínguez, Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Taiwo Awoniyi
Also Read: Liverpool willing to sell Carabao Cup star as squad overhaul planned in summer
Klopp rested his main XI players he had left for the win over Southampton in the FA Cup. However, they should be back in for the game over at Nottingham Forest.
The backline should remain unchanged, just like the midfiled, unless Harvey Elliot slots in on the right side instead of James McConnell. Luis Diaz will be back into the starting ahead of Lewis Koumas, despite him scoring in the FA Cup.
Predicted XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Conor Bradley, Alexis Mac Allister, Bobby Clark, Harvey Elliott, Cody Gakpo, Luis Díaz
Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool Head-to-Head & Prediction
Liverpool are without a host of players but should still get the win over Nottingham Forest. The Reds are looking to get their hands on the Premier League title once again and know that a loss on Saturday could see them slip to 3rd if Arsenal and Manchester City win their games.
Prediction:
Liverpool 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Liverpool 3-2 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Liverpool
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool
Prediction: Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool
Betting Tips
Liverpool win.
Both Teams To Score: No.
Over 3.5 Goals: No.
Odds
Nottingham Forest Win: 6.00
Draw: 4.90
Liverpool Win: 1.57
Portland Timbers vs DC United Timings & Telecast
City Ground – 2nd March – 15:00 GMT
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