Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Starting Lineups

Liverpool host Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday, August 29 (7:30 AM ET / 6:30 AM CT / 4:30 AM PT).

Liverpool’s front line takes a hit this weekend. Calf-injury absentee Hugo Ekitike remains sidelined, and the hosts are also without knee-injury casualties Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, thigh-injury absentee Jayden Danns, and Joe Gomez, who is out for other reasons, while groin issue doubt Curtis Jones is a late call. That shifts the attacking spotlight onto Federico Chiesa and Dominik Szoboszlai to carry Liverpool’s line at Anfield. Nottingham Forest travel with a shorter injury list, missing only knee-injury absentee Nicolo Savona and Ryan Yates, who is out for other reasons, leaving James McAtee, Olufisayo Aina and Murillo among those expected to feature.

Liverpool head into this off a 2-2 draw at Newcastle, while Nottingham Forest arrive after a 0-1 home defeat to Leeds. That contrast, an early-season stalemate against tougher opposition versus a home loss to a promoted side, sets the tone for a meeting Liverpool should be expected to control from the outset, even shorn of their leading forward.

US viewers can watch Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest on NBC and Peacock.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest: Best Bets & Predictions

Liverpool look to build on their Newcastle draw as Nottingham Forest try to respond after an opening defeat to Leeds

Where are you following from? Odds & offers below update to match.

🇺🇸 United StatesTrade on Kalshi 🌎 Outside the USOdds via bet365

Liverpool to winTop pickLiverpool have the depth and platform to control this at Anfield even with several attackers missing.

71%win prob.-239 @ bet365

Both teams to score – YesLiverpool shipped two at Newcastle last time out, and Forest have enough about them going forward to test that defense again.

57%chance-134 @ bet365

Over 2.5 GoalsLiverpool's front line carries enough shot volume, and their own draw at Newcastle already produced four goals between the two sides.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐chanceopening soon @ bet365

Correct score: Liverpool 2-1 Nottingham ForestA Liverpool win with goals at both ends fits a Forest side capable of a reply against a Liverpool defense that already looked open at Newcastle.

11%chance800 @ bet365

Federico Chiesa – Anytime GoalscorerChiesa scored two goals from 17 shots last season and is now one of the senior forward options left with Ekitike sidelined.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐chanceopening soon @ bet365

Our approach: we build this preview from the underlying form, availability and last season's player data before checking that view against what the betting markets are saying about the same fixture.

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Season Form & Standings

Liverpool have 1 point from 1 game so far, a draw at Newcastle, while Nottingham Forest have 0 points from 1 game, beaten at home by Leeds.

Premier League

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Potential Match-Winners

• Federico Chiesa (Liverpool): Chiesa managed 2 goals and 5 shots on target last season in 318 minutes, the kind of return that makes him Liverpool’s likeliest source of a breakthrough with Ekitike out.
• Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool): Szoboszlai’s return of 1 goal and 3 chances created came in just 90 minutes last season, a sign of the impact he can offer from midfield.
• James McAtee (Nottingham Forest): McAtee created 3 chances in 74 minutes last season, the kind of creative touch Forest will lean on if they’re to trouble Liverpool’s back line.

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’s form line reads W L D L D, most recently a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle.

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’s form line reads W W D L L, most recently a 0-1 home defeat to Leeds.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Prediction

Liverpool, sitting on 1 point after a season-opening draw at Newcastle, should have too much for a Nottingham Forest side still on 0 points following their loss to Leeds. Expect the hosts to take control at Anfield and pull away in the second half of the game; the call here is a 2-1 Liverpool win, with Chiesa among the front-runners to get on the scoresheet.