Having returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion last time out, Liverpool host Nottingham Forest at Anfield in Saturday afternoon’s Premier League contest.
The Reds taught Leeds United a footballing lesson in a 6-1 romping on Monday night, while Steve Cooper’s men were put to the sword 2-0 by Manchester United.
Team News:
A near-perfect evening for Liverpool at Leeds also saw Luis Diaz make his first appearance in over six months after making a full recovery from knee surgery, but Roberto Firmino is now confirmed to be missing three games with a muscular injury.
Naby Keita is yet to recover from a muscular problem too and could very well have played his final game in a Liverpool shirt, while Stefan Bajcetic (adductor) and Calvin Ramsay (knee) continue their recoveries from season-ending operations.
Surely seeing no need to alter a winning formula, Klopp could once again force Thiago Alcantara and Nunez to accept minutes from the bench, as Curtis Jones and Jota – who had a hand in three of Liverpool’s six goals on Monday after a torrid start – continue in the XI.
Meanwhile, Forest boss Cooper continues to work around an injury crisis at the City Ground, with all of Giulian Biancone (knee), Omar Richards (calf), Chris Wood, Willy Boly and Cheikhou Kouyate (all thigh) confined to the infirmary for the foreseeable future.
Ryan Yates (shoulder), Serge Aurier (unspecified), Dean Henderson (thigh) and Gustavo Scarpa (knee) should not take as long to heal, but Cooper stated that he would be working with the same squad as last weekend in his pre-game press conference.
Awoniyi missed a glorious chance to make the net ripple against Man United, but the former Reds striker can feel hopeful of holding his spot against his old club, unless Cooper gambles on a more defensive presence in the form of Orel Mangala.
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Gakpo, Jota
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Navas; Felipe, McKenna, Niakhate; Williams, Danilo, Mangala, Freuler, Lodi; Johnson, Gibbs-White
Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Dusting off their shiniest shooting boots and scoring for fun in front of their own fans, a resurgent Liverpool should experience few roadblocks en route to another goal-laden win this weekend.
While Cooper can set up his side to frustrate Liverpool, Forest’s terrible record away from the City Ground speaks for itself, and Navas can expect another taxing afternoon in between the sticks for the beleaguered visitors.
