Liverpool take on Nottingham Forest in their fourth Premier League match on Saturday afternoon.
Predicted XIs:
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota.
Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams; Anderson, Sangare; Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Elanga; Wood.
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New Reds manager Arne Slot had big boots to fill when he was selected as Jürgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool. However, the Dutchman will be delighted with how things have been going since he arrived from Feyenoord.
The transition has been smooth, as the Anfield outfit have not conceded a goal in their opening three league matches of the campaign. They won 2-0 at promoted Ipswich on the first Saturday of the season and then won their first home game against Brentford by the same scoreline.
But the 3–0 victory over fierce rivals Manchester United would have probably given the new manager the most pleasure, and it was the ideal way to go into the international break.
They face Nottingham Forest, who will have been encouraged by going unbeaten through their opening three matches.
A potentially tricky opener at Southampton was safely negotiated as they won 1–0 at St. Mary’s, while Nuno Espírito Santo’s side has also had 1–1 home draws against Bournemouth and their manager’s former club, Wolves.
The game at Anfield will start at 15:00 BST, but it will not be broadcast live in the UK.
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Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Team News
Liverpool’s first concern from the international break was midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who came off in Argentina’s 3-0 victory against Chile after scoring the game’s first goal, but hopes are high that he will come through a fitness test.
Harvey Elliott will not be so fortunate, and he has been ruled out for at least four weeks after fracturing his foot while playing for England Under-21s.
Curtis Jones could shake off a muscle injury, but Reds fans may still have to wait before they get the chance to see Federico Chiesa in a Liverpool shirt.
He has yet to feature after joining on deadline day from Serie A side Juventus and was not in the Italy squad last week, so this may not be when he makes his Anfield bow.
Forest must cope with two significant absentees as they search for their first win at Anfield since 1969.
Midfielder Danilo is set to be out until the new year after suffering an ankle injury. There was a further blow this week when Willy Boly limped out of training while preparing for Ivory Coast’s game against Chad.
The former Wolves defender has a calf injury and is also expected to be out.