Bidding to return back to winning ways in the Premier League, table-toppers Liverpool travel to City Ground to face high-flying Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.
The Reds were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final in North London last week. They bounced back with a 4-0 thumping of Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup third round at the weekend, setting up a fourth-round clash with Plymouth Argyle.
Having tasted just one Premier League defeat all season thus far—a 1-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest back in September—Arne Slot and Co. will be out to seek revenge. However, they face a mighty challenge against Forest, who made seven wins on the spin across all competitions when Luton Town paid a visit for the FA Cup third round.
Liverpool Team News
Darwin Nunez is suspended for the trip to Nottingham Forest after picking up his fifth yellow card of the league season during the 2-2 draw with Man United. Other than the Uruguayan, Joe Gomez remains the only injury absentee for Liverpool.
Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Alisson Becker should return in goal after being afforded a day off against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup at the weekend.
Defence
In front of Alisson, Liverpool are certain to line up in a similar 4-2-3-1 formation. Virgil van Dijk will lead the side as usual, marshalling his troops against a well-oiled Forest side. Ibrahima Konate was not in the squad that faced Accrington in the FA Cup but should return to Arne Slot’s starting XI and partner Van Dijk at the heart of Liverpool’s defence.
Alexander-Arnold will likely keep his place after playing 60 minutes in the FA Cup third round, with Andy Robertson expected to return in place of Kostas Tsimikas if Slot makes a change at left-back.
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch was afforded a day off on Saturday, so will certainly return to the team. Alexis Mac Allister should partner Gravenberch in the double pivot after being an unused substitute in the FA Cup game. The duo have to be excellent to dictate terms and dominate possession in the middle of the park against a strong Forest side.
Dominik Szoboszlai completed 45 minutes against Accrington after illness but is expected to start on the bench here, with Curtis Jones operating in the free No.10 role.
Attack
Slot will make wholesale changes to his attack on Tuesday night. Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo were given a breather at the weekend, so the duo are certain to return to first XI. They are expected to be joined by Luis Diaz, who should be fresh to operate centrally as a No.9 after being an unused substitute in the FA Cup third round.
Diogo Jota scored against Accrington in the FA Cup and should be raring to make an impact off the bench. Federico Chiesa should be an attacking option too.
