Nottingham Forest host Liverpool at the City Ground on Sunday in a Premier League meeting between two sides boosted by big wins in their most recent outings.
Forest began the Vitor Pereira era with an impressive 3-0 win over Fenerbahce in the Europa League, while Liverpool produced a similarly convincing performance against Brighton in the FA Cup to book their place in the fifth round.
The Reds have managed only two victories from their last six Premier League fixtures, although recent wins over Newcastle and Sunderland have kept them within reach of the top four.
Away results remain a concern, however, as Liverpool have not recorded consecutive Premier League away victories since September.
Forest arrive encouraged by a strong managerial debut. Pereira’s side produced a confident display in Turkey, with Murillo, Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White all scoring to end a three-match winless run.
The hosts sit just above the relegation zone but have shown signs of improvement, losing only one of their last six league matches. Three successive home fixtures have ended in draws, and scoring at the City Ground has proved difficult, with Forest netting just once in each of their last four top-flight games there.
Team news for Nottingham Forest v Liverpool
Liverpool remain without Jeremie Frimpong due to a hamstring injury. Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Alexander Isak are also sidelined.
Ryan Gravenberch is pushing to return to the starting lineup, which could see Dominik Szoboszlai operate in a deeper or wider role depending on selection.
Forest reported no new injury concerns following their European match. However, Willy Boly, Chris Wood, John Victor and Nicolo Savona remain out with knee injuries, while goalkeeper Matz Sels is still unavailable due to a groin problem, meaning Stefan Ortega is expected to continue in goal.
Murillo and Morgan Gibbs-White, both recent scorers, are set to retain their places in the side.
Expected line-ups for Nottingham Forest v Liverpool
Nottingham Forest: Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Sangare; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus
Liverpool: Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Where to watch Nottingham Forest v Liverpool: TV channel, online stream
The match kicks off at 14:00 GMT and will be shown live in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports Main Event.
Subscribers can also watch via the Sky Go and NOW TV streaming platforms on mobile devices, smart TVs and desktop.
The stats for Nottingham Forest v Liverpool
- Liverpool have won four of their last five matches in all competitions
- The Reds have only two wins from their last six Premier League fixtures
- Nottingham Forest have lost just one of their last six league matches
- Forest have scored exactly one goal in each of their last four home league games
- Liverpool have not recorded consecutive away league wins since September
Prediction
Nottingham Forest
1
–
3
Liverpool
Forest’s confidence has improved under new management, but Liverpool’s attacking quality and depth should prove too much for the hosts.
