Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest: Preview, Predictions, and Lineups
In a Premier League showdown that could either reignite Liverpool's fading title hopes or expose their vulnerabilities further, the Reds gear up to host Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon, eager to erase the sting of a humiliating 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City. This match isn't just another game—it's a pivotal moment where redemption hangs in the balance, and fans are holding their breath to see if their beloved team can reclaim their spark.
The international break gave Liverpool some time to heal after that embarrassing loss to City, as detailed in our player ratings breakdown (https://www.si.com/soccer/liverpool-player-ratings-vs-man-city-11-9-25). Now, with their grip on the Premier League crown slipping away (https://www.si.com/soccer/premier-league), they're hungry for a comeback. Beating Forest (https://www.si.com/soccer/team/nottingham-forest), whom they couldn't defeat in either of last season's Premier League meetings—including a painful home loss at Anfield—could pull them to within five points of league leaders Arsenal before the north London derby on Sunday. But here's where it gets controversial: Liverpool knows they need flawless performances to hold onto the title, and recent form screams otherwise—they might just fall short despite their talent.
After a brief revival with wins against Aston Villa and Real Madrid, it seemed like Liverpool had turned a corner, showcasing their potential when everything clicks. However, that poor showing at City has undoubtedly shaken confidence, and Forest, fresh off their first league victory under manager Sean Dyche before the break, will be itching to capitalize on the Reds' low spirits. To help beginners understand, think of Anfield as Liverpool's fortress—a stadium where they've historically dominated, but even fortresses can crack under pressure from a determined opponent.
Forest currently sit in the relegation zone after shuffling through multiple managers this season, but their 3-1 triumph over Leeds United offers a glimmer of revival. Add to that draws against Manchester United and Sturm Graz, plus a win over Porto, and it's clear they're gaining traction. For context, Sean Dyche's pragmatic style emphasizes solid defense and counter-attacking, which could pose real problems for Liverpool's sometimes leaky backline.
Here's Sports Illustrated's comprehensive guide to the matchup.
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Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Liverpool
- Man City 3–0 Liverpool - 11/09/25
- Liverpool 1–0 Real Madrid - 11/04/25
- Liverpool 2–0 Aston Villa - 11/01/25
- Liverpool 0–3 Crystal Palace - 10/29/25
- Brentford 3–2 Liverpool - 10/25/25
Nottingham Forest
- Nottingham Forest 3–1 Leeds - 11/09/25
- Sturm Graz 0–0 Nottingham Forest - 11/06/25
- Nottingham Forest 2–2 Man Utd - 11/01/25
- Bournemouth 2–0 Nottingham Forest - 10/26/25
- 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
On the injury front, there's a mix of silver linings and setbacks for Liverpool. Goalkeeper Alisson's long-awaited comeback, confirmed by manager Arne Slot, will boost spirits among supporters, but setbacks to Conor Bradley and Florian Wirtz are causing headaches (https://www.si.com/soccer/liverpool-double-injury-blow-nottingham-forest-visit). Wirtz picked up a muscle injury during international duty with Germany, despite delivering his strongest performance of the season against Slovakia, while Bradley is sidelined for at least three weeks. With Jeremie Frimpong already out, Bradley's absence might force Slot to shift Dominik Szoboszlai to right back again. Interestingly, Wirtz's injury in midfield could see Szoboszlai pushed forward into attacking areas, with Joe Gomez stepping in at right back to cover for the Northern Ireland international. Long-term absentees include youngsters Jayden Danns, Stefan Bajcetic, and Giovanni Leoni.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Gomez, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak.
Forest, dubbed the Tricky Trees, are grappling with their own injury woes ahead of the trip to Liverpool. Last season's leading scorer Chris Wood remains sidelined since the Porto win, dealing with a knee issue. Former Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi is also unavailable, leaving Igor Jesus to spearhead the attack at Anfield. Summer signings Dilane Bakwa, Douglas Luiz, and Oleksandr Zinchenko are out, along with backup goalkeeper Angus Gunn and right back Ola Aina. On a positive note, Callum Hudson-Odoi, who netted the winner at Anfield last term, is set to return from a dead leg injury—potentially adding a spark to Forest's flank.
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Sels; Savona, Milenković, Murillo, Williams; Sangaré, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus.
And this is the part most people miss: Liverpool's unpredictability this season hasn't diminished their impressive home record, where they've secured victories in all Premier League games at Anfield except for a defeat to rivals Manchester United (https://www.si.com/soccer/liverpool-player-ratings-vs-man-utd-10-19-25). Those wins against Villa and Madrid highlighted the world-class squad lurking beneath the surface, capable of brilliance when firing on all cylinders. However, Forest might sense an opportunity to score, given Liverpool's shaky defense, but the hosts' attacking firepower could overwhelm them. For beginners, imagine Forest's strategy as a cheeky underdog plot—defend deep, counter fast, and hope to exploit any lapses, much like a surprise thriller in a football movie.
Prediction: Liverpool 2–1 Nottingham Forest
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What do you think? Is Liverpool's recent dip just a blip they can overcome, or does it signal the end of their title defense? Could Forest's mini-revival under Dyche lead to an upset, or are they still too inconsistent? Some might argue that Liverpool's squad depth makes them unbeatable at home, but others could counter that form trumps talent in the Premier League's unforgiving grind. Share your thoughts, predictions, and agreements or disagreements in the comments—we'd love to hear from you!
