The only 8pm kick-off of Tuesday's midweek Premier League fixtures pits Nottingham Forest against Liverpool in a top-of-the-table clash.
Arne Slott's visitors would expect to be in and around the top spots, although the Dutchman's excellent work since taking over from Jurgen Klopp may have taken him by surprise. The Reds are well above everyone else, six points clear of second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand.
Surprisingly, Forest, who many would have thought were fighting relegation, are third and level on points with the Gunners. They have won six games in a row in all competitions – keeping clean sheets in their last five – and have already reached the magic 40-point mark with 18 games of the season still to play.
As such, they go into this game with every chance of taking at least a point from Liverpool.
Here it is 90 minutes game preview.
Record between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Nottingham Forest |
Liverpool |
|---|---|
|
Nottingham Forest 2-0 Luton – 11/01/25 |
Liverpool 4-0 Accrington – 11/01/25 |
|
Wolves 0-3 Nottingham Forest – 06/01/25 |
Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool – 01/08/25 |
|
Everton 0-2 Nottingham Forest – 29/12/24 |
Liverpool 2-2 Man Utd – 05/01/25 |
|
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham – 26/12/24 |
West Ham 0-5 Liverpool – 29/12/24 |
|
Brentford 0-2 Nottingham Forest – 21/12/24 |
Liverpool 3-1 Leicester – 26/12/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
discover+, discover+ app, TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, BBC Radio 5 Live |
|
United States |
USA Network, UNIVERSE |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network Canada |
forest The excellent run of form has coincided with their ability to keep key players fit and healthy.
The games could pile up for Nuno Espirito Santo's side, especially after a difficult festive period, but the long-term absences of Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare are the only confirmed injury concerns. The former broke his ankle on the first day of the season, lasting just 14 minutes, while the latter will be out until the end of January at best with a hamstring injury.
Chris Wood, Forest's top scorer with 12 Premier League goals, will start up front, likely supported by the quiet duo of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the wings.
Predicted Forest vs Liverpool line-up (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; wood
Liverpool are also doing extremely well in the injury department, having welcomed Diogo Jota and Ibrahima Konate back into the fold in recent weeks.
The only confirmed injury concern for Arne Slot is Joe Gomez, who is out with a hamstring injuryand he will be joined on the sidelines by the suspended Darvin Nunez. The Uruguayan picked up his fifth booking of the season in last weekend's 2-2 draw with Manchester United, leading to a one-match ban.
Luis Diaz could continue in a striking role, rotating with Cody Gakpo, leaving Jota on the bench, while Mohamed Salah forms the last part of a strong front three.
Liverpool predicted formation against Forest (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz
The atmosphere at The City Ground can be raucous at the best of times, so you can only imagine the decibel reading if Forest bring their A-game.
Liverpool are still unbeaten on the road this season, winning seven of their nine ventures away from Anfield, and the only home defeat came against Forest in September – Hudson-Odoi scored in what many thought was a shock result.
Forest's home games are usually low-scoring, tight affairs, with just 18 goals in the nine they have played. A tight and tough encounter can be expected, but it would take a brave man to bet against the league leaders despite the hosts' extremely impressive recent form.