Premier League: Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool

Nottingham Forest can go from underdogs to real title contenders if they can do a league double over Liverpool tomorrow night.

It is the ultimate test for the team of Nuna Espirito Santo, who have won their last seven games in all competitions, and in the last five without conceding a goal.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said earlier today that he felt Tricky Trees were in the title race, but Nuno was a little more cautious.

He said: “We have to play games. We are here to compete against all teams and I think we are 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 each other, our strengths and weaknesses. So let’s play a game.”

Looking ahead Liverpool. 💪 pic.twitter.com/zTyFBwaUBi

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 13, 2025

Asked if he thought Slot was playing mind games ahead of the meeting at the City Ground, the Portuguese added: “I don’t know, but we try to ignore what’s around us as much as possible. We never change. It’s the way we see things, the way we see the competition. I would say it’s the way we see life. One day at a time, let’s focus on our tasks, and tomorrow is another tough one.”

Forest go into the game six points behind Liverpool after having played a game more but knowing they can beat the Merseysiders following their 1-0 triumph at Anfield in September.

That’s not to say that Nuno showed anything but 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 understanding that and facing the game with the real respect that it takes to play against Liverpool.”

Team news

Nuno said there were “no major problems” in his squad and he is likely to return to the side that won at Wolves last Monday after several side players were given the chance to impress in Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Luton.

The same can be said for Liverpool. Slott is still without defenseman Joe Gomez, but, other than that, he has a nearly full squad to choose from.

Expected lineups

Forest: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Dominguez, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

How to watch

Kick-off is at 20:00 UK time, with live coverage on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate beginning at 18:30.

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