Preview: Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest
09/13/2024 11:30 AM
Can Slot become just the seventh manager to win his first four Premier League fixtures?
LIVERPOOL VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST
| Saturday, September 14th |
Premier League | Anfield
3PM GMT/10AM EST
Nottingham Forest have quietly gone unbeaten thus far this season, starting the 2024/25 season by drawing with Bournemouth, beating Southampton and drawing with Wolves — and progressing in the EFL Cup via pens against Newcastle. Given the league opposition, Forest will want to be on at least six points, but will be pleased to have avoided defeat nonetheless. This is the best streak of results they've had under Nuno Espirito Santo. They have been winless against Liverpool at Anfield in their last 27 attempts, which stretches back to 1969. They last drew here in their first Premier League fixture back in 1993, and have gone on to lose their last six at Anfield in the league.
Following the international break, Ibrahima Sangare and Willy Boly are both doubts for Forest, and Danilo is a long-term absentee from the squad.
Though he hasn't scored against Liverpool yet, Chris Wood is the player to watch for Forest. Under Espirito Santo Nottingham Forest look to engage in direct, speedy attacks. Per Opta, they have a league-high number of direct attacks (10) with a direct speed — meaning the meters covered per second in an attack — is second only to Bournemouth. Liverpool's newfound control in approach will be put to the test by a side set up to rapidly convert any attacking chances they're given.
They will look to create problems, too, through James Ward-Prowse, who joined Forest on loan from West Ham this season. Ward-Prowse remains adept at set plays, and they have added some height with the signing of Brazilian defender Morato, who might feature on Saturday.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Jones, Salah, Jota; Díaz
Liverpool struggle early with a couple of injuries, though Alexis Mac Allister is reportedly fit despite struggling with an adductor issue. Harvey Elliott of course fractured his foot while out with the England U21s, and will be missing for some weeks; we could see a return from injury for Curtis Jones, though he — like new signing Federico Chiesa — will lack match fitness.
Arne Slot was previously a manager who rotated his squad very little, though the Dutchman is aware of the challenges created by the schedule for top teams in England and has said that he will make choices based on players' physiques, with the implication of close monitoring for fitness levels and related risks.
We can likely expect an unchanged back five, though might see some rotation in midfield and in reaction to Alexis Mac Allister's fitness levels and the crowded week ahead. Liverpool do have AC Milan to cope with midweek, and we might expect to see some changes ahead of or in that fixture. With a new manager, it's hard to predict when these changes might happen.
Liverpool have worked hard on and off the ball thus far this season, and have been rewarded for their efforts with three clean sheets from three. Should Liverpool keep a fourth clean sheet on Saturday, Arne Slot will become the first ever Premier League manager to start on four consecutive clean sheets.
Though Diogo Jota has the most goals against Nottingham Forest for Liverpool (six in five appearances), there's still a potential Mohamed Salah stat: should Salah score, he will become the second player to score in Liverpool's first four matches of a new campaign (Daniel Sturridge, 2013).
What the Managers Had to Say
Arne Slott: "They also haven't lost this season yet so they're in a good place. It will be a tough one."
Nuno Espirito Santo: "They are a very good team first of all. Very good players and they have started very well. Some things are different [under Arne Slot than under Jurgen Klopp]. Some things are the same - the players and the core are there. But always a very tough team and we know we are going to face a very good opponent."
The Officials
Referee: Michael Oliver Assistants: Stuart Burt, Dan Cook Fourth Official: Anthony Backhouse VAR: Graham Scott Assistant VAR: Craig Taylor
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