New Delhi: Liverpool will play Nottingham Forest at the Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday. Both teams are unbeaten, with Liverpool winning all three of their opening games. Nottingham has managed a single win this season but has played two draws.
Mohamed Salah’s 56th-minute goal and Luis Diaz’s brace had given Liverpool fans enough to celebrate against Manchester United. However, Salah’s contract took centre stage when the Egyptian commented on taking this season as his last in the Reds dugout. Despite this, Salah made life tough for United by making both assists in Diaz’s goals before scoring one himself.
Arne Slot achieved three opening-match wins, which his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp, managed to do only once in eight seasons of leading the side. This means they are below Manchester City in the points table only by goals scored. If Slot’s side manages to keep clean sheets in this game, it will be the first time since 1992 that a coach has managed to do so in their first four games.
Added to this is the fact that the last manager to win their opening four games is former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri. Liverpool have a good record of not suffering a defeat at home instantly after an international break. The last time this happened was against Aston Villa in September 2014.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team also came into the fixture without losing a single game, though they played two stalemates. They opened with a 1-1 draw over Bournemouth and shared the points before a 1-0 win over Southampton on Matchday two. They then faced Wolves, who sent the side into the international break with yet another stalemate.
They are one of the sides with two draws to their name after three matches, which results in them being ranked ninth in the points table. Santo’s side are now unbeaten in the last four of their Premier League games, which is one of the best streaks under the Portuguese manager, and this streak hasn’t gone beyond four since 1995.
They do have a job in hand when they face Liverpool in Arnfield. Liverpool are in dangerous form, but they also come to the fixture, having won all their last three games against the Forest. The Reds haven’t lost to Forest at Anfield since 1969.
Team News
Though Federico Chiesa was ready to debut for Liverpool in their win over United, he was still given time to be match-ready and now might make his debut off the bench. Curtis Jones’s groin problem might not be an issue for the match. Alexis Mac Allister also played for Argentina after an adductor issue and can make the start.
It has been reported that Harvey Elliot is out with a broken foot and will be on the sidelines for six to eight weeks. This means Salah won’t have the 21-year-old backing him as he chases his fourth goal from as many games in the season.
Forests are expected to give James Ward-Prowse and Morato their debut minutes for the side, with Ward-Prowse looking set to feature in the starting XI after Ibrahim Sangare recently suffered a knock. For injuries, Forest have Danilo recovering from the ankle injury he sustained on Matchday one. Willy Boly, too, hurt his calf during the international break and is hence unavailable.
It is expected that Chris Wood will be keeping his position to finally score against Liverpool despite Taiwo Awoniyi’s recent performance with Nigeria. So far Wood has met the side 11 times and hasn’t been able to score against the Saturday match’s host even once.
Predicted Lineup
Liverpool possible: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota
Nottingham Forest:
Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina; Ward-Prowse, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Early Predictions
In the form that Liverpool are and how their record stands against Nottingham Forest, they are expected to have an easy win over the visitors. At Anfield, it can be expected that Liverpool will take an early lead and end with a 3-0 win over the Forests.
Where to Watch in India?
Fans in India can catch the Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest match live on the Star Sports network. The game will also be available for live streaming on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 pm IST on Saturday, September 14.
This season Liverpool have had the perfect start with a win in all their first three matches of the Premier League. They will now take on an equally confident Nottingham at Anfield. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
