Nottingham Forest can go from underdog status to genuine title contenders if they can complete the league double against Liverpool tomorrow night.
It is the ultimate test for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who have won their last seven matches in all competitions, and the last five without conceding a goal.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot said earlier today that he felt the Tricky Trees were in the title race, but Nuno was slightly more cautious.
He said: “We have to play the games. We’re here to play every team and I think we’re doing well, but nothing changes in our approach, which remains the same.
“We know what we can do and how we want to do things. We know ourselves, our strengths and our weaknesses. So let’s play the game.”
Looking ahead to Liverpool. 💪 pic.twitter.com/zTyFBwaUBi
– Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 13, 2025
Asked if he felt Slot was playing mind games ahead of the City Ground match, the Portuguese added: “I don’t know but we try as much as possible to ignore what happens around. We never change. It’s the way we look at things, the way we look at competition. I would say it’s the way we look at life. It’s day to day, let’s focus. on our tasks and tomorrow will be difficult once again.
Forest go into the match six points behind Liverpool having played a game more, but knowing they can beat the Merseysiders following their 1-0 triumph at Anfield in September.
This is not to say that Nuno displayed anything other than enormous respect for his opponents.
“Salah, Diaz, Gakpo, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Konate, Trent… quality everywhere,” he said.
“A fantastic team. They showed not only in the Premier League but also in Europe how good they are. It’s about us being aware of that and facing the match with the real respect necessary to play against Liverpool.
Team News
Nuno said there were “no major problems” in his squad and they would likely revert to the team that won against Wolves last Monday after several fringe players had the chance to impress during of Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Luton.
The same can be said of Liverpool. Slot is still without defender Joe Gomez but, other than that, he has a near-complete squad to choose from.
Expected compositions
Forest: Salts; Aïna, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Dominguez, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Drink
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Gravenberch, MacAllister, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
How to watch
Kick-off will be at 8:00 p.m. UK time, with live coverage on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate starting at 6:30 p.m.
Statistics
- In 8 of the last 9 In Nottingham Forest matches, the total number of goals was less than 3.5.
- In 8 of the last 9 Nottingham Forest matches in the Premier League, the total number of goals was less than 3.5
- In 8 of the last 9 Nottingham Forest home games in the Premier League, total goals were less than 3.5
- In the last 4 Liverpool’s away matches in the Premier League, total goals were over 4.5
- In the last 6 Liverpool matches in the Premier League, the total number of goals was over 3.5
- In 10 of the last 12 Liverpool matches in the Premier League, the total number of goals was more than 2.5
- In the last 5 Liverpool’s away matches in the Premier League, total goals were over 3.5
- In 9 of the last 11 Liverpool’s away matches in the Premier League, total goals were over 2.5
