Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest – Analysis, Prediction, Team News

As part of our midweek Premier League predictions, we take a look at Liverpool’s trip to Leeds. Liverpool are hitting form at the right time, and Forest are in trouble – home win? Read on with our Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest prediction.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Match Preview

Liverpool come into this game on the back of a fantastic result – given Liverpool’s struggles away from home this season, few anticipated a 6-1 hammering of admittedly struggling Leeds at Elland Road. However, Liverpool played well and deserved their victory. They ‘only’ had an xG of 2.67, but we must remember that high-quality players often outperform this stat. There is no doubt Liverpool had the ascendancy in control, limiting Leeds to 26 per cent possession. The severity of the scoreline was arguably harsh on Leeds, but Liverpool were clinical and the deserving winners. It was their first win in five, so they cannot be complacent.

Jurgen Klopp’s players have been good this season at Anfield – they’ve won nine games of 14 and accumulated 31 points, only losing once. While Forest won the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Liverpool will feel confident that they can use the Leeds result as a platform to finish the season strongly. With 47 points from 30 games, they are only six points from the top five and will hope to attain Europa League qualification. Top four looks beyond them now.

Nottingham Forest travel to the North-West in massive trouble. They are on the longest active winless run in the league, having not emerged victorious in ten games. Their match against Man Utd last week was disappointing – they started well, putting United backup centre-back Harry Maguire under pressure especially. However, United quickly found their way into the game and made their talent advantage count – they ended up playing some pretty football and goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot (after a beautiful Antony pass) sealed the victory.

It’s no secret that Forest are the league’s worst side away from home. The disparity between their home and away form is even starker than that of their hosts – they have 21 points at home and only six on their travels, having conceded a massive 36 goals away. Having lost five of their last six Premier League games and shipped at least two goals in seven of their previous eight, Steve Cooper’s players are going in the wrong direction. They now sit in the relegation zone with 27 points from 31 games, and it will take a monumental effort to escape the drop.

Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

Liverpool:

Might Not Play:

Will Not Play: Ramsay, Bajcetic, Keita

Nottingham Forest:

Might Not Play: Henderson, Aurier, Richards, Kouyate, Yates, Scarpa

Will Not Play: Boly, Biancone, Wood

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Lineups (Predicted)

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Jota, Gakpo, Salah

Nottingham Forest (3-4-3 / 3-4-1-2): Navas; Mckenna, Niakhate, Felipe; Lodi Danilo, Freuler, Williams; Johnson, Awoniyi, Gibbs-White

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Analysis

Liverpool’s Building Of The Play

Given Liverpool’s issues away from home, few people anticipated a 6-1 hammering of Leeds at Elland Road last Monday. Liverpool performed excellently and, in doing so, reminded everyone of their ceiling and just why they have been such a devastating force for the five seasons previous to this one. However, they must not rest on their laurels and must try to build on this result. They have had false dawns already this season, and they will hope this isn’t another.

Liverpool have a high possession average this season. Hence, in this game at home against a relegation candidate, they will likely control proceedings and pin Forest back, finding gaps in Forest’s low block. Van Dijk and Konate will build the game from the back and attempt to get it into the midfield or down the sides so Liverpool can work their way into attacking positions. Henderson and Jones must try to make the play in midfield when they receive it and be press-resistant – Jones is a talented young player with good dribbling and incisive passing. We back him to start over Thiago. Fabinho also has a crucial role – he is essential in sweeping and covering if Forest win the ball to counter.

Liverpool in Forward Areas

The forward areas are where Liverpool are so mighty at Anfield. They have several players to choose from in their front three, but they will likely stick with Jota, Gakpo and Salah. There will be much interchange here – Jota is on the graphic as a left-winger but truthfully he is a striker; he and Gakpo will switch positions often and drag Forest all over the place with their movement. Salah will be his usual tricky, dribbling and pacey self. After his performance at Leeds (he, Gakpo, Jota and Nunez all got in on the scoring), he should be full of confidence; he will likely give Lodi a torrid time on that side.

Gakpo is an excellent finisher and link player – he will look to stick away any chances he gets. Jota’s industry and finishing are also impressive, even if he struggled for goals until last week. Klopp has reinforcements from the bench – Thiago in midfield, and Diaz is now an option wide left. The Colombian has had a terrible time with injury, but his pace and dribbling are massive weapons. The same is true of Nunez, and Firmino is also a potential starter, given his football IQ and linking of play. The six attacking players will be vital for the remainder of the season (Firmino leaves in the summer).

Forest Are Poor Away From Home and Will Likely Play In A Low Block

Forest’s struggles away from home are well-known and were alluded to earlier. Given their subdued performance against Man Utd at the City Ground last week and the fact they are coming to arguably the toughest stadium in England, Forest may be approaching this match in trepidation. Nevertheless, they must try to play well and get something because they are certainties for relegation if they don’t start picking up plenty of points.

Forest must be defensively diligent against Liverpool. We have already mentioned that Liverpool will probably control the game and just how scintillating the Reds can be going forward. Alexander-Arnold was fantastic against Leeds playing more advanced, and his crossing and passing will again be a significant threat to Forest (as will that of the previously mentioned players). Therefore, in the face of the danger from full-back and on the flanks, Forest must maintain a compact system using their three centre-backs, two wing-backs, and two central midfielders. We expect this seven to be deep for much of the game and the wide men Johnson and Gibbs-White to be dragged back too.

Forest On the Counter

Forest’s best hope is to soak up the intense Liverpool pressure and hit on the counter when winning the ball in the deeper thirds. Many would argue against this – they’d say that you have to be brave at Anfield, try to retain the ball in midfield and, above all, not sit so deep that Liverpool can get on top of you. We would often concur with this – however, we feel Forest do not possess the required technical ability or comfort on the ball in defensive and midfield positions for this to be a viable option. They are not a possession side and cannot hope to be more expansive and play through Liverpool.

Thus, Forest must try to play a more rudimentary game where they win the ball deep and quickly play it forward for Johnson and Awoniyi to chase. The former has proved he is a tricky, quick and dangerous player. Awoniyi gave Maguire a hard time against United, so these two must be on their game. Gibbs-White can roam at times to make it a 3-4-2-1. His creativity in forward areas and crossing from set pieces could also be weapons to hurt Liverpool. Indeed, corners and free kicks might be Forest’s best chance of scoring.

Our Prediction

Liverpool have had a nightmare of a season. Yet, startingly, they still find themselves in a position to qualify for Europe, which they owe to their excellent home form. Their performances at Anfield have seen them fifth in the league for home form – it’s just as well as their away form has largely been awful. They’ll hope to build on the Leeds result and should come into this game full of confidence, knowing how strong they are in Liverpool.

On the other hand, Forest come to Anfield well aware of their issues on the road. This game is set up for a comfortable Liverpool victory – Liverpool won last weekend, and Forest lost. Furthermore, Forest are poor away, and Liverpool are excellent at home. Liverpool also has a massive talent advantage in playing personnel and managerial positions.

Therefore, it would be a big surprise to us if Forest were to get anything. True, football has a habit of throwing up shocks. However, the smart money is on a comfortable Liverpool win. Given Forest’s problems registering goals on their travels, Liverpool will possibly keep a clean sheet also.

Liverpool 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Betting Tip – Liverpool -1 (win by 2 goals or more) Odds: