Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Preview
- Liverpool to win
- Salah to score or assist
Arne Slot’s Dream Start at Liverpool
Arne Slot has made an impressive start as Liverpool manager, winning his first three Premier League games without conceding a goal.
Slot’s achievement places him alongside the late Sven-Göran Eriksson as the only managers to win their first three Premier League matches without conceding.
This record is even more notable as he becomes the first Liverpool manager to achieve such a feat in the top flight. His most notable win to date was a commanding 3-0 victory away at arch-rivals Manchester United, cementing his early popularity with the fans.
As Liverpool return from the international break, Slot will be hoping the pause hasn’t interrupted the Reds’ momentum. Historically, Liverpool have performed well after international breaks, losing just one of their last 24 Premier League games after such a break (W18, D5).
Adding to their confidence is the return to Anfield, where Liverpool have been formidable, losing only twice in their last 62 Premier League home matches (W47, D13).
Nottingham Forest’s Challenge
Nottingham Forest, under Nuno Espírito Santo, have had a solid start to their Premier League campaign, going undefeated in their first three matches (W1, D2).
However, Forest may feel that they could have had more points on the board after leading in both of their 1-1 draws against Bournemouth and Wolves. Still, the Tricky Trees will be motivated by their away form, having won their last three league matches on the road.
Despite their encouraging start, Nottingham Forest face a daunting task at Anfield, a ground that has been an unhappy hunting ground for them historically. They haven’t won at Anfield in their last 26 visits (D6, L20), a barren run dating back to March 1978.
Players to Watch
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Salah has started the season in electric form, scoring in each of Liverpool’s first three matches.
He’ll be looking to become only the second Liverpool player to score in the first four games of a Premier League season, a feat last achieved by Daniel Sturridge in the 2013/14 campaign. Salah’s finishing and movement will be key to breaking down Forest’s defence.
Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)
While Chris Wood has struggled against Liverpool in the past, failing to score in 12 previous head-to-head encounters, he remains a potential threat.
Interestingly, all of Wood’s last six goals have come before the 30-minute mark, and Forest will be hoping that he can break his scoring drought against Liverpool in this fixture.
Conclusion
Liverpool will be looking to maintain their winning run under Arne Slot and extend their excellent home form, while Nottingham Forest face an uphill battle to end their decades-long winless streak at Anfield.
With Salah in fine form and Liverpool’s defence yet to be breached, the Reds will be confident of securing another three points. Forest, however, may back themselves to cause an upset, given their undefeated start to the season and their recent success on the road.
Prediction: Liverpool to continue their winning streak with a comfortable victory, but Nottingham Forest could make it a competitive match if they score early.
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Liverpool v Nottm Forest, 2024/25 | Premier League