Here’s how both teams line up for this pivotal clash at the top of the table.

Nottingham Forest Starting XI

• Goalkeeper: M. Sels
• Defenders: O. Aina, N. Milenkovic, Murillo, N. Williams
• Midfielders: R. Yates, E. Anderson
• Attacking Midfielders: A. Elanga, M. Gibbs-White, C. Hudson-Odoi
• Forward: C. Wood

Liverpool Starting XI

• Goalkeeper: Alisson
• Defenders: T. Alexander-Arnold, I. Konate, V. van Dijk, A. Robertson
• Midfielders: R. Gravenberch, A. Mac Allister
• Attacking Midfielders: M. Salah, D. Szoboszlai, C. Gakpo
• Forward: L. Diaz

Substitutes

Nottingham Forest Bench

• Morato
• Taiwo Awoniyi
• Nicolás Domínguez
• James Ward-Prowse
• Àlex Moreno
• Jota Silva
• Ramón Sosa
• Willy Boly
• Carlos Miguel

Liverpool Bench

• Wataru Endo
• Federico Chiesa
• Curtis Jones
• Harvey Elliott
• Diogo Jota
• Konstantinos Tsimikas
• Caoimhin Kelleher
• Jarell Amorin Quansah
• Conor Bradley

Match Context

This top-of-the-table Premier League clash pits league leaders Liverpool against third-placed Nottingham Forest. Both teams have had remarkable campaigns so far, with Forest defying expectations and Liverpool thriving under Arne Slot’s management.

Nottingham Forest comes into this game on a stunning run of six consecutive victories across all competitions, including five clean sheets. Chris Wood, Forest’s leading scorer with 12 goals, leads the line once again, supported by the pace and creativity of Elanga, Gibbs-White, and Hudson-Odoi.

Liverpool, on the other hand, are unbeaten away from home this season and have only suffered one league defeat — a surprising 0-1 loss to Forest in September. With Darwin Nunez suspended, Luis Diaz gets the nod upfront, supported by Salah, Gakpo, and Szoboszlai in an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation.

Key Battles to Watch

• Chris Wood vs Virgil van Dijk: Wood’s physicality will test Liverpool’s defensive leader.
• Mohamed Salah vs Neco Williams: The former Liverpool full-back will face his toughest test against Salah’s pace and trickery.
• Morgan Gibbs-White vs Alexis Mac Allister: A creative midfield battle that could dictate the game’s tempo.

Predictions

With both teams in exceptional form, this game promises to be an intense battle. Nottingham Forest’s defensive solidity and home advantage will make life difficult for Liverpool, but the Reds’ firepower may prove decisive.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Liverpool