Liverpool v Nottingham Forest: Preview, Team News & Predictions
Liverpool will look to carry forward their winning momentum when they welcome Nottingham Forest to Anfield on Saturday, April 22nd.
The Reds were in danger of reaching six games without a win for the first time under Jurgen Klopp, but instead put on a clinic against relegation-threatened Leeds United. With their front three firing, goalscoring looked easy as the club devoured the opposition in their own half. With the win, Liverpool sent a clear message to the rest of the pack jockeying for position.
Liverpool are now nine points behind Newcastle United with eight games to go. That appears to be a mammoth task for a team blowing hot and cold at the moment. However, achieving Europa League or the Conference League should be within their grasp.
And if the 6-1 win over Leeds is anything to go by, Liverpool will be back entertaining and serving up high scoring affairs on their way up the ladder.
What’s more promising is their Anfield record despite the setbacks. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last seven at home in the league and their previous 23 against the Tricky Trees.
That shouldn’t faze Nottingham Forest, who come into this game languishing in 18th place with no wins since the 5th of February, and thus, nothing to lose.
They did emerge victorious in the reverse fixture courtesy of a 55th minute strike from Taiwo Awoniyi. To do that again, away from home under the current circumstances and pressure mounting, is a different test of character altogether.
The mantra would be simplistic – to not concede, albeit against a side emerging with returning players in Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz that’s a tall task. Whenever Steve Cooper’s troops have allowed a goal in their games, they’ve not managed to collect the three points.
Team News
Liverpool
Luis Diaz’s return was perhaps bigger than the triumph for the Reds, as he returned from a six-month injury layoff.
Naby Keita, who is poised to leave come the end of the season, has been ruled out, as is Thiago. Youngsters Stefan Bajcetic and Calvin Ramsey are already looking ahead into next season.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest’s treatment room staff will see Omar Richards, Chirs Wood, Willy Boly and Guilian Biancone sidelined.
Cooper has found a more balanced XI in recent outings, especially at the back, and that should induce much-needed stability ahead of the business end of the season.
Predicted XI
Liverpool probable line-up (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Gakpo, Jota
Nottingham Forest probable line-up (3-4-1-2): Navas; Felipe, Niakhate, McKenna; Williams, Danilo, Freuler, Lodi; Gibbs-White; Awoniyi, Johnson
Match Prediction
This match-up will be another step on Liverpool’s road to redemption. It’s the perfect opportunity for them to collect valuable points and bolster their position within the league. With confidence and goals in short supply, it’s difficult to see Nottingham Forest taking anything substantial away from Anfield.
Predicted score: Liverpool 4-0 Nottingham Forest
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Tobias Barkskog. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.