The midweek Premier League games don’t kick off until 8pm on Tuesday: Nottingham Forest and Liverpool meet in an unlikely duel at the top of the table.
Arne Slot’s guests would have expected to finish near the top spots, although the Dutchman’s outstanding performance since taking over from Jürgen Klopp may have even surprised him. The Reds are well above everyone else, six points ahead of Arsenal, who are in second place with a game in hand.
Amazingly, Forest, who many would have suspected were fighting relegation, are third and level on points with the Gunners. They have won six games in a row across all competitions, kept a clean sheet in their last five games and have already reached the magic 40-point mark with 18 games left to play in the season.
Therefore, they go into this game with every chance of taking at least one point from Liverpool.
Here is 90 minutes Preview the game.
Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool head-to-head record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
Nottingham Forest | Liverpool |
|---|---|
Nottingham Forest 2-0 Luton – 11/01/25 | Liverpool 4-0 Accrington – 11/01/25 |
Wolves 0-3 Nottingham Forest – 06/01/25 | Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool – 08/01/25 |
Everton 0-2 Nottingham Forest – 29/12/24 | Liverpool 2-2 Man Utd – 01/05/25 |
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham – 12/26/24 | West Ham 0-5 Liverpool – 12/29/24 |
Brentford 0-2 Nottingham Forest – 21/12/24 | Liverpool 3-1 Leicester – 12/26/24 |
country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Discovery+, Discovery+ App, TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, BBC Radio 5 Live |
United States | USA Network, UNIVERSO |
Canada | fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network Canada |
Forest’s excellent form goes hand in hand with their ability to keep key players fit and healthy.
The games may be piling up for Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad, particularly after a tough holiday period, but long-term casualties Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare are the only confirmed injury concerns. The former broke his ankle on the first day of the match and only lasted 14 minutes, while the latter will only be available at the end of January at best due to a thigh injury.
Chris Wood, Forest’s top scorer with 12 goals in the Premier League, will start up front, likely supported by the pacey duo of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the flanks.
Forest’s expected line-up against Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Liverpool are also doing very well in terms of injuries, having welcomed Diogo Jota and Ibrahima Konate back into the squad in recent weeks.
Arne Slot’s only confirmed injury concern is Joe Gomez, who is out with a hamstring injury. The suspended Darwin Nunez is also on the sidelines next to him. The Uruguayan received his fifth yellow card of the season in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United, which resulted in a one-match ban.
Luis Diaz could continue to play a prominent role, rotating with Cody Gakpo while Jota remains on the bench while Mohamed Salah forms the final part of a strong three-man group.
Predicted Liverpool line-up against Forest (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz
The atmosphere at the City Ground can be loud at the best of times, so one can only imagine the decibel level when Forest are at their best.
Liverpool are unbeaten away from home this season, winning seven of their nine away games at Anfield. Their only home defeat came against Forest in September – Hudson-Odoi was the scorer in a result many considered shocking.
Forest’s home games are usually low-scoring and close games, with only 18 goals scored in the nine games played. Expect a tight, tough clash, but it will take a brave man to bet against the league leaders, despite the hosts’ extremely impressive recent form.