Liverpool host Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday, August 29 (7:30 AM ET / 6:30 AM CT / 4:30 AM PT).
Liverpool go into this one without the injured Hugo Ekitiké, Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Jayden Danns and Giovanni Leoni, while Curtis Jones is a doubt. Even shorn of a large chunk of the squad, Federico Chiesa and Dominik Szoboszlai both showed goal threat last season and look like being central to how Liverpool attack Forest’s defence. Nottingham Forest have their own absentees in the injured Nicolo Savona and Ryan Yates, but Igor Jesus, James McAtee and Olufisayo Aina remain able to lead their approach at Anfield.
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest: Best Bets & Predictions
Liverpool look to build on an opening draw as winless Forest visit Anfield.
Our approach: lean on Liverpool's home advantage and goals at both ends against a Forest defence already breached once this season.
Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds may vary. 19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON).
Season Form & Standings
Liverpool have 1 point from their opening game, a draw that leaves them unbeaten but without a win, and a goal difference of 0. Nottingham Forest have 0 points from their opening game, a defeat that leaves them with a goal difference of -1.
Premier League
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Nottingham Forest | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Confirmed Starting Lineups
Liverpool
4-2-3-1Nottingham Forest
3-4-2-1Potential Match-Winners
- Federico Chiesa (Liverpool): Federico Chiesa’s last season for Liverpool yielded 2 goals and 5 shots on target from just 318 minutes, making him a lively outlet even in a bit-part role.
- Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool): Dominik Szoboszlai’s lone appearance for Liverpool last season still produced 1 goal and 3 chances created in 90 minutes, hinting at end product when given the chance.
- James McAtee (Nottingham Forest): James McAtee created 3 chances in just 74 minutes for Nottingham Forest last season, a sign of the creative spark he can offer from the bench.
Recent Form
Liverpool: W L D L D
- 2026-08-23: Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool (D, away)
- 2026-05-15: Aston Villa 4-2 Liverpool (L, away)
- 2026-05-09: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (D, home)
- 2026-05-03: Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool (L, away)
- 2026-04-25: Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace (W, home)
Liverpool opened this season with a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle, good for 1 point from 1 game. That followed a shaky close to last season, with losses at Manchester United and Aston Villa either side of a home draw with Chelsea, though a home win over Crystal Palace showed there’s goals in this side.
Nottingham Forest: W W D L L
- 2026-08-22: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds (L, home)
- 2026-05-17: Manchester United 3-2 Nottingham Forest (L, away)
- 2026-05-10: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Newcastle (D, home)
- 2026-05-04: Chelsea 1-3 Nottingham Forest (W, away)
- 2026-04-24: Sunderland 0-5 Nottingham Forest (W, away)
Nottingham Forest were beaten 1-0 at home by Leeds in their season opener, leaving them without a point from their opening game. That result followed a strong end to last season, with wins away at Sunderland and Chelsea, a home draw with Newcastle, and a loss at Manchester United.
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Prediction
Liverpool sit on 1 point from their opening game, while Nottingham Forest have 0 from theirs, and Anfield is the sort of place where that gap tends to widen. The injured Ekitiké leaves a dent up top, but with Chiesa and Szoboszlai both capable of contributing, and Forest already breached at home by Leeds, this looks a game where both teams find the net before Liverpool close it out 2-1.