Preview: Liverpool Take On Nottingham Forest In A Potential Title-Deciding Clash

Liverpool lead the Premier League title race with 14 wins in 19 matches. (Image credits - www.flickr.com/photos)

The Premier League is into the second and the deciding half of the season as the teams enter into matchday 21. Once again, Liverpool FC are challenging for the Premier title, leading the points table this time. The Reds are in the 1st spot with 46 points in 19 matches, with 14 wins. Arne Slot has begun his reign at the club in the best way possible, with the Reds currently sitting at the top of both the Premier League and the Champions League points table while also competing in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and heading into the 5th round of the FA Cup.

While Liverpool have wreaked havoc in the Premier League, it has to be Nottingham Forest who have been the most exceptional team in the league this season. Nuno Espirito’s men currently sit at 3rd place in the points table with 40 points, well ahead of teams like Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea, and even Manchester City. Nottingham also remain the only team to have defeated Liverpool in the Premier League this season.

Forest were battling in the relegation zone last season when Nuno joined the club in December 2023. The Portuguese did not only help Nottingham survive but has completely changed the fate of the club. Nuno has transformed Forest from being relegation battlers to challengers for the top 4 in a span of just 1 year.

Game Plan - Nottingham Forest

Nuno and his men were able to get the better of the Reds in the reverse fixture back in September 2024. Hence, the Portuguese might look to play with a similar game plan this time as well. While it is fair to say that Liverpool were unlucky in front of the goal, they were also quite wasteful. Nottingham, on the other hand, were quite efficient, creating 2 big chances and scoring from one. Forest came to life in the second half, with the introduction of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga on the wings. The dynamic duo’s rapid pace caused all kinds of problems for Liverpool's full-back pair, with Hudson-Odoi also managing to score the winning goal.

However, what stood out for Nottingham that day was their incredible ability to beat Liverpool’s high press. Nuno’s men targeted Liverpool’s high pressing by playing out from the back and managed to play the ball through incredibly. Liverpool’s high line becomes vulnerable after their press gets beaten, allowing space for counterattacks. Forest would be looking to target the same weakness like they did at Anfield. However, despite having done it once, it still remains one of the most formidable tasks to try and play through Liverpool’s high press.

Game Plan - Liverpool FC

Liverpool would have to rearrange themselves in the midfield after witnessing the lapses at the centre of the pitch that led to disappointing results against Manchester United and Tottenham recently. The midfield trio of Jones, Mac Allister, and Gravenberch has been preferred by Arne Slot recently. Youngster Jones has been preferred over the experienced Dominik Szoboszlai in the no. 10 role. Liverpool need in their midfield.

While Granvenberch and Mac Allister continue to perform, Jones’ impact recently is being questioned. The Englishman’s work rate is high and possesses the ability to hold the ball well. However, Szoboszlai offers more directness and creativity in the midfield while providing a similar amount of work rate. Therefore, Arne Slot should prefer to start Szobo over Jones in a game where Liverpool might not be able to produce a lot of chances.

Predicted Line-Ups

Liverpool FC: Alisson (GK), Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB), Ibrahima Konate (CB), 

Virgil van Dijk © (CB), Andrew Robertson (LB), Ryan Gravenberch (CDM), Alexis Mac Allister (CM), Mohamed Salah (RM), Dominik Szoboszlai (CAM), Mohamed Salah (RM), Cody Gakpo (LM), Luis Diaz (ST).

Formation: 4-2-3-1.

Nottingham Forest - Matz Sels (GK), Ola Aina (RB), Nikola Milenkovic (CB), Murillo (CB), Neco Williams (LB), Nicolas Dominguez (CDM), Elliot Anderson (CDM), Anthony Elanga (RM), Morgan Gibbs-White © (CAM), Callum Hudson-Odoi (LM), Chris Wood (ST).

Formation: 4-2-3-1.