Arne Slot and Liverpool will look to bolster their top-five hopes when they travel to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest on Sunday at 2pm.
The Reds began the weekend in sixth but within touching distance of Chelsea and Manchester United above them. That’s despite Slot’s side earning just two Premier League wins from eight attempts so far in 2026.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Forest, meanwhile, were 3-0 winners at Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday night in Vitor Pereira’s first game since replacing Sean Dyche in the dugout. It was their biggest ever win away from home in European competition.
But the Tricky Trees have registered just two wins in their past 10 games, and sit just outside the relegation zone.
Liverpool Team News vs Nottingham Forest
The Reds are still battling injuries at the back, with Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong missing. Slot has confirmed this game will come too soon for the latter, while Wataru Endo will be “out for a long time” according to the Anfield boss.
Alexander Isak has started running on the training pitch once more. but the Swedish forward is still some way off a return to action.
Dominic Szoboszlai featured at full-back against Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend and the talented Hungarian could start there once more as he returns from his Premier League suspension. However, Joe Gomez offers an alternative option after Slot confirmed he is available for selection following his own injury problem.
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Hugo Ekitike was benched for the FA Cup win over Brighton but may return to the starting XI now along with Ryan Gravenberch.
Academy products Josh Davidson and Terence Miles joined the first-team for training on Wednesday as Slot battles against his defensive woes.
Reds looking to get back on track
Two Premier League wins so far in 2026 isn’t what Slot had hoped for and memories of Nottingham Forest’s 3-0 win at Anfield in November will linger.
However, Forest last completed a league double over Liverpool in 1962-63. So the Reds can head to the City Ground with optimism. Forest are without a home league win in five and have bagged maximum points just three times in 13 attempts so far.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have won just three of their last 11 Premier League away games. But they did hand Sunderland their first league reverse of the season at the Stadium of Light last time.
While Slot’s side have shortages at the back, they should take heart from the knowledge that Forest have failed to score in 12 Premier League games this season – only basement boys Wolverhampton Wanderers have blanked more often.
Liverpool have shut out both Sunderland and Brighton in their last two games and a clean sheet at the City Ground would likely propel them to a much-needed three points as they face a team with just 25 goals in 26 games so far.
Forest are now on their fourth manager of the season in Pereira and Liverpool will want to ensure the honeymoon of his Europa League win in Turkey doesn’t spill over into the Premier League.
