'No question': Nicol explains what he thinks Slot has been telling Liverpool players ahead of facing Forest
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Liverpool face a crucial trip to play Nottingham Forest on Tuesday as they aim to cement their lead at the top of the Premier League.
The Reds are currently six points clear of Forest, who remarkably sit in third place after 20 games played.
Extending that lead to nine points with a game in hand would feel enormous for Liverpool, especially with Arsenal heading into a North London Derby on Wednesday.
However, the Reds lost to Forest at Anfield in September and Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping that that victory serves as the blueprint for what would be an eighth win in a row for his team.
For Liverpool, they absolutely have to ensure they learn from their mistakes that day to avoid having Forest do a Premier League double over them.
And as the Liverpool squad put their final preparations in place, former Reds defender Steve Nicol has predicted what Arne Slot will have been telling his players in the days leading up to the game.
Arne Slot emphasises defensive positioning
Liverpool simply could not find a way past Forest when the two teams met in September.
Since then, the pain of that defeat has been eased by the fact that Nuno’s team have dished out similar treatment to just about everyone else in the Premier League.
Solid in defence and devastating on the counter, Forest’s game plan against Liverpool will be clear once again. And according to Nicol, the Reds will likely be well prepared for what they’ll face at the City Ground.
“Liverpool, there’s no question, it’ll be all about defending behind the ball when they’re going forward,” says the Liverpool legend.
“They’ll be so ready for this and that’s why I see Liverpool winning the game. If you’re going to let Liverpool have the ball and come at you, then you’re kind of asking for trouble. As well as Forest have defended, you’re asking for trouble.
“Liverpool, no question, should be 100 per cent focused on what happens when they lose the ball,” Nicol adds.
“I would suspect that’s what’s been going on at Liverpool over the past couple of days. Arne talking about what happens when we lose the ball, positions when we’re going forward for defenders.
“So, whenever they [Forest] do get the ball, you stop the break before it starts. That’s what Liverpool are going to do and that’s why I think they’ll win the game.”
Liverpool’s patchy record against Nottingham Forest
Although Liverpool should still be favourites for Tuesday’s game, there is real trepidation amongst the fanbase.
That is not all down to the good recent form of Forest either. Since their promotion to the Premier League in 2022, Liverpool have had a decidedly patchy record against them.
| Date | Result | Stadium |
| 22/10/22 | Nottingham Forest 1-0 Liverpool | City Ground |
| 22/04/23 | Liverpool 3-2 Nottingham Forest | Anfield |
| 29/10/23 | Liverpool 3-0 Nottingham Forest | Anfield |
| 02/03/24 | Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool | City Ground |
| 14/09/24 | Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest | Anfield |
Played five, won three, drawn none and lost two is how the Reds have fared when these two teams have done battle.
Their two previous visits to the City Ground ended 1-0, with one loss and one win. Liverpool also recorded a 1-0 victory at the stadium during an FA Cup match in 2022.
When Liverpool have won here, it has been tight. It’ll likely be the same again. But if the Reds do as Nicol thinks they will, they’ll stand a much better chance.
