Preview: Liverpool face Nottingham Forest as title hopes hang by a thread
Liverpool currently sit 8th in the Premier League ahead of a crucial run of games...
Liverpool’s Premier League campaign has been an absolute disaster. After a dream title-winning season under Arne Slot last season, this year has been a brutal wake-up call. Five defeats in six league matches, a 3-0 dismantling at the hands of Manchester City, and now sitting eighth in the table with Arsenal eight points ahead, the rot has well and truly set in.
But the fixture list has served up a lifeline. Nottingham Forest at home should be a platform for Liverpool to reignite their season. Forest have been in turmoil themselves, struggling near the bottom, on their third manager already, and lacking any real consistency. But even still, this Liverpool side haven’t heard the right to underestimate any opponent.
Fragile Forest?
Nottingham Forest’s season has been chaotic. The decision to sack Nuno Espírito Santo still baffles many, and their revolving-door approach to managers continues to cast a long shadow over the club. Enter Sean Dyche, a man who knows how to make life difficult for teams like Liverpool.
Forest are physical, direct, and disciplined. Dyche has wasted no time drilling his side into a unit that thrives on disruption. Forest are now sixth in the league for long balls per match, a clear indication of Dyche’s fingerprints. They don’t try to play through midfield elegance. They launch it forward, fight for second balls, and look for their moments in the mess. It’s anti-football in the most effective sense and that’s Liverpool’s biggest kryptonite.
This kind of gritty, low-block, break-on-the-counter setup is exactly what Liverpool have struggled with this season. Whether it was Brentford or Newcastle, the signs have been there. Liverpool have looked vulnerable when forced to break down deep defensive lines, especially when transitions leave them exposed.
Liverpool’s High Line Faces a Real Test
Arne Slot’s system has always demanded aggression with the ball and bravery without it. But that comes at a cost. The high defensive line Liverpool operate with leaves acres of space to be exploited if the press is bypassed. Forest, with players like Igor Jesus and Callum Hudson-Odoi, can capitalise.
And with Liverpool’s defence already under the microscope, the pressure is mounting. Alisson’s return is a huge relief. His positioning and sweeping ability alone could prevent a repeat of the kind of one-on-ones that have been plaguing the team. Mammadashvili did well in patches, but the gap in quality is evident. This is a game where Alisson’s influence could be the difference between three points and another soul-draining draw.
Injury Struggles Forces Big Questions
Liverpool are not short of injury concerns. Giovanni Leoni, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Conor Bradley are all unavailable. The right-back situation is so depleted that Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones might be forced to fill in there. Slot could turn to Joe Gomez, but managing his fitness over a brutal seven-game run in 22 days is risky.
The full-back positions are vital to Liverpool’s buildup and defensive solidity. If Jones shifts to right-back, that creates a gap in midfield. Alexis Mac Allister will be expected to hold things together, but fatigue from international duty always lingers. It’s a puzzle with no ideal solution, and it’s going to take more than just eleven players to survive this period.
Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo.
A Game That Must Be Won
This isn’t about revenge for last season’s defeat to Forest. It’s not about pride. This is all about survival in the title race. Liverpool ‘s hopes are already hanging by a thread, and another defeat would surely end it all.
Forest will be awkward. They will defend deep, clog midfield, and play the percentages. They won’t give Liverpool space to breathe, and any lapse in focus could be punished.
But if Liverpool want to stay in the conversation, these are the games they simply have to win. No excuses.