📰 Table Of Contents
Match Preview
Nottingham Forest can go from outsiders to genuine title contenders if they can complete the league double over Liverpool tomorrow night.
It is the ultimate test for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who have won their last seven games in all competitions, and the last five without conceding a goal.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot said earlier today he felt the Tricky Trees were in the title race but Nuno was slightly more cautious.
He said: “We have to play the games. We are here to compete against all of the teams and I think we are doing well, but nothing changes in our approach, which stays the same.
“We know what we can do and how we want to do things. We know each other, our strengths and weaknesses. So let’s play the game.”
Looking ahead to Liverpool. 💪 pic.twitter.com/zTyFBwaUBi
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 13, 2025
Asked if he felt Slot was playing mind games ahead of the City Ground encounter, the Portuguese added: “I don’t know but we try as much as possible to ignore what’s around. We never change. It is the way we see things, the way we see the competition. I would say it is the way we see life. It’s day-by-day, focus on our tasks and tomorrow is another tough one.”
Forest go into the game six points behind Liverpool having played a game more but with the knowledge they can beat the Merseysiders following their 1-0 triumph at Anfield in September.
That’s not to say Nuno was displaying anything other than enormous respect for their opponents.
“Salah, Diaz, Gakpo, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Konate, Trent…quality all over the place,” he said.
“A fantastic team. They have shown not only in the Premier League but in Europe how good they are. It is about us realising this and facing the game with the true respect it is necessary to play against Liverpool.”
Team News
Nuno said there were “no major issues” in his squad and they are likely to revert back to the side that won at Wolves last Monday after several fringe players were given the chance to impress in Saturday’s FA Cup win over Luton.
The same can be said for Liverpool. Slot is still without defender Joe Gomez but, apart from that, has a near full-strength squad to pick from.
Expected line-ups
Forest: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Dominguez, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
How to watch
Kick-off is at 20:00 UK time, with live coverage on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate commencing at 18:30.
The Stats
- In 8 of the last 9 Nottingham Forest matches the total number of goals was under 3.5
- In 8 of the last 9 Nottingham Forest matches in the Premier League, the total number of goals was under 3.5
- In 8 of the last 9 Nottingham Forest home matches in the Premier League, the total number of goals was under 3.5
- In the last 4 Liverpool away matches in the Premier League, the total number of goals was over 4.5
- In the last 6 Liverpool matches in the Premier League, the total number of goals was over 3.5
- In 10 of the last 12 Liverpool matches in the Premier League, the total number of goals was over 2.5
- In the last 5 Liverpool away matches in the Premier League, the total number of goals was over 3.5
- In 9 of the last 11 Liverpool away matches in the Premier League, the total number of goals was over 2.5
Prediction
Forest have made fools of those backing against them this season.
And that’s exactly what we’re going to do here!
Liverpool will dominate possession and, while the hosts will be a threat on the break, it is impossible to think Slot’s men won’t be able to carve out enough opportunities to win the game and avenge their defeat in the reverse fixture.
Our prediction: Forest 1-3 Liverpool
