Liverpool face an important journey to Nottingham Forest and Arne Slot can be eager to avenge the Anfield defeat as his aspect purpose to rediscover their kind within the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest vs. Liverpool
Premier League (20) | Metropolis GroundJanuary 14, 2025 | 8pm (GMT)
After two home cup video games, with combined success, it’s again to Premier League motion for Liverpool as they meet a assured Forest aspect who will odor a possibility to take factors.
Slot’s aspect haven’t been of their stride of late however Tuesday presents the subsequent likelihood so as to add three factors and keep the hole on the prime.
Listed here are 10 issues you might want to know forward of the conflict.
1. Solely 2 lacking for Liverpool
Because of relaxation and rotation over the weekend, the Reds will head into this match with loads of contemporary legs and simply two absentees.
Joe Gomez (hamstring) continues to be sidelined and Slot expects that to stay the case for the foreseeable having defined the defender is “fairly far” from marking his return.
Darwin Nunez is the one different absentee resulting from a one-match suspension after reaching the brink for 5 yellow playing cards within the first half of the season – he can return at Brentford.
A powerful squad to face Forest then, we’ll want it!
2. It is a Forest aspect in kind
Slot beforehand mentioned himself that it is a membership that’s “usually not ending up within the prime 10” within the Premier League, however a lot can be reconsidering that after Forest’s unimaginable begin.
They sit six factors behind the Reds in third, behind Arsenal solely on aim distinction, and have gained their final seven video games in all competitions.
In that run, they’ve conceded simply thrice, with their final 5 all ending with a clear sheet. They’re evidently stuffed with confidence.
Forest sit on the prime of the shape desk for the final eight league video games, choosing up 21 factors in comparison with subsequent finest Liverpool (18).
3. One large name to make in Reds’ XI
After resting seven gamers fully from the matchday squad within the FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley and leaving an additional three unused, you sense Slot’s aspect can be fairly predictable.
The same old suspects will return and that features the likes of Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz.
Having confirmed he’s to be with out solely two senior choices, the most important resolution can be whether or not Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones begins in midfield.
With Szoboszlai taking part in simply 45 minutes as a reintroduction on the weekend after three video games out, you anticipate him to return after a few iffy outings from Jones.
Predicted Reds XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
4. Forest can have a contemporary XI
Forest made 11 modifications for his or her FA Cup win over the weekend and thus there can be no considerations for them over any fatigue heading into this match.
Danilo marked his return from a long-term ankle damage off the bench as they progressed to the fourth spherical, leaving solely Ibrahim Sangare on their damage listing.
Nuno insisted on the eve of the sport that he has no “main points” in his squad and Slot can, subsequently, put together with that in thoughts.
Chris Wooden (12 objectives) is the apparent hazard man upfront whereas Morgan Gibbs-White is proving to be influential with 4 objectives and three assists.
Predicted Forest XI: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wooden
5. No extra suspension risk…for now
As Liverpool reached the midway level of the season towards Man United, the yellow card suspension threshold has now been reset by the Premier League.
It means no gamers are at instant danger of suspension, with the variety of cautions now lifted to 10 bookings from matchday 20.
Any participant booked 10 occasions within the first 32 video games of the season can be banned for 2 fixtures, no matter whether or not or not they’ve already served a ban for 5 cautions.
Nunez, as abovementioned, couldn’t keep away from a warning towards United and is the third and closing participant to serve a ban for reaching 5 yellow playing cards in 2024/25.
6. Forest determine the important thing battles
We won’t be quick on key matchups on Tuesday night and in chat with Forest fan and podcaster Matt Davies, we acquired the perception into the place they suppose the match can be gained and misplaced:
“I might say the primary ones are Neco Williams vs. Salah, Callum Hudson-Odoi vs. Alexander-Arnold and Gibbs-White vs. Gravenberch.
“At Anfield, Alex Moreno was sensible towards Salah, who has been the very best participant within the league by a mile all season.
“Williams has been implausible at left-back since coming into the crew, however it is a big problem.
“Forest followers can be hoping Trent performs like he did towards United, whereas Gibbs-White has been sensible discovering area in midfield to run at defences.”
• READ: “Unbelievable” Forest however former Pink faces “big” Salah problem
7. “Not such a shock end result as I assumed”
Slot has not been in a position to let go of the 1-0 defeat to Forest at Anfield earlier this season, understandably, however admits their kind does permit him to have a look at the end result in another way:
“Typically, I believe each time Liverpool loses a house recreation it’s one thing we don’t anticipate.
“I believe in that second of time I additionally noticed a stat that Virgil performed 100 house video games for Liverpool and solely misplaced as soon as, so for us to lose on that day was, for me, onerous to take, as you most likely skilled.
“Now trying again at it and seeing the place they’re within the league, it’s not such a shock end result as I assumed it was again then.”
Let’s simply not allow them to get one over on us twice in a single season, eh?
8. Do you know?
Since October 1984, Liverpool have scored greater than as soon as in a go to to the Metropolis Floor on solely two events – in January 1990 and April 1999.
That makes for 2 objectives in a recreation simply twice within the final 15 visits. In the event you already felt this one was going to be nervy, we actually haven’t helped, have we?
We do have some excellent news, although, the Reds have scored two or extra objectives in 12 consecutive league video games – it’s their finest since a run of 15 from March–September 2019.
9. Kavanagh within the center
Chris Kavanagh has been appointed to take cost of this fixture, it’s his second Reds recreation of the season following on from the 2-0 win over Man Metropolis.
He took cost of Liverpool’s 3-0 house win over Forest final season and he despatched off James Ward-Prowse within the hosts’ 1-1 draw at Chelsea earlier this marketing campaign.
The Reds have gained 16 of the 21 video games he has overseen, with no sending-offs in our route.
Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring are his assistants on the Metropolis Floor whereas John Busby acts as fourth official. John Brooks, who we’ve historical past with, is lead VAR.
10. Tips on how to watch and comply with together with TIA!
Liverpool’s journey to Nottingham Forest can be proven reside on TNT Sports activities 1 for these of you within the UK, with protection ranging from 6.30pm (GMT).
In the event you fancy a extra entertaining and biased have a look at proceedings, you’ll be able to comply with together with our reside weblog! Harry McMullen can be on the helm from 7.15pm to maintain you updated!
Into these, Reds.
