Game Week 12 Predictions: Liverpool to beat Nottingham Forest

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Preview: Reds seek revenge at Anfield after last season’s shock loss. Team news, Isak-Ekitike dilemma & verdict .

Liverpool must rise from the abyss of their recent results, they must beat Forest or sink further on the log. (Photo credit: Opta)

 Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

Anfield

4:00pm

If you remember anything about this fixture last season, it was the one in which Callum Hudson-Odoi curled one past Allison; it was Liverpool’s first loss under Arne Slot.

The loss at home to Forest last season didn’t deter Liverpool’s title run, as they went on to claim their 20th Premier League title, but does that bitter pill add some bite to this game? Is Arne Slot plotting revenge in this game?

Liverpool hasn’t been in a good place; they lost to Manchester City just before we went on break, and their performance in that game proved that they may just not be at the races this season, and sitting eight odd points off the leaders isn’t what they want; they must start fixing up.

For Nottingham Forest, they’re clearly a better side under Sean Dyche. Forest has picked up points, and a rare win here could see them jump out of the drop zone, especially with West Ham and Burnley playing Bournemouth and Chelsea, respectively.

Forest can hurt Liverpool; they did it in the past, and they can do it again. However, they will have to show up just like they did last time out in the league when they hosted Leeds United and ran out 3-1 winners. They need points; they must fight for them.

Both sides have European engagements in midweek, and you wonder if Forest actually need such distractions as they hope to beat the drop. Liverpool knows that only a win will help their cause in the league; they cannot afford to slip up here.

Liverpool will be without Conor Bradley and Jeremy Frimpong, while Arne Slot also confirmed that Florian Wirtz will be sidelined for weeks; we expect Dominik Szoboszlai to slot in at right back, but the real conversation for Liverpool will be upfront.

Alexander Isak has struggled since his move to Merseyside, while Hugo Ekitike has been a hit from the start. Does this mean the Frenchman starts? Or can Arne Slot play them together in search of firepower early on? Time will tell.

For the visitors, they have a few names coming back from injury; however, playing together as a unit and taking their chances when they get any would be of great help. Liverpool’s defence is suspect; Forest should look to hurt them, especially on set pieces. It’s a game that should excite the neutrals.

Verdict: Liverpool to win.