The return of the English Premier League after the November international break would see Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest in a 4pm kick-off at Anfield, as both sides look to gain crucial points.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool will be eager to move on from their humiliating 3-0 defeat to Manchester City when they face Forest. Against City, they managed just a single shot on target. The game which was also Pep Guardiola’s 1,000th match as a head coach, made City’s dominant performance even more memorable and a tougher pill for Liverpool to swallow.
Nottingham Forest, who came from a goal down to draw Manchester United 2-2, followed up that impressive result with a 3-1 win against Leeds United. Forest, who sit 19th in the table with nine points, will be hoping that the managerial switch from Ange Postecoglou to Sean Dyche sparks a positive turnaround, as they aim to climb out of the relegation zone – a challenge Dyche has proven he can handle.
Liverpool’s form this season has been inconsistent, and their performances have left fans and pundits unconvinced that Arne Slot’s side can mount a serious challenge to reclaim the Premier League title. After 11 games, they sit eighth in the table with 18 points – eight behind league leaders Arsenal, who are on a mission to break Chelsea’s two-decade-old record of conceding just 15 goals in a single season.
Their defence has been unusually porous this season, resulting in the team conceding 17 goals in just 11 matches. New signings are yet to find their rhythm, a dip in Salah’s usual clinical finishing, and difficulties in controlling possession against top sides have seen Liverpool drop to eighth in the Premier League table.
Why Nottingham Forest Could Shock Liverpool: Key Factors Ahead of the Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Clash
The last time Nottingham Forest won at Anfield was in September of the previous year. A historic 55-year wait was broken when Hudson Odoi latched onto a pass from Anthony Elanga before the former Chelsea man finished superbly past Alisson, with the game ending 1-0.
And with this victory in mind, there will be a growing belief amongst the players of how they can replicate such a win. Under Dyche, renowned for his defensive rigidity and tactical discipline, the team will aim to maintain a solid defensive structure while seizing opportunities to strike decisively in attack, hoping to recreate last season’s magic and defy the odds once more.
While Liverpool are clear favourites heading into the Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest showdown, Sean Dyche’s side have a few qualities that could spring a surprise at Anfield. This Premier League match analysis dives deeper into why the Garibaldi’s shouldn’t be underestimated.
1. Liverpool’s Defensive Vulnerabilities
Liverpool’s backline has been inconsistent and has looked shaky in recent weeks. From a standout performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League to struggling to contain mid-table Premier League sides, their defensive structure has lacked cohesion. Individual errors, lapses in concentration, and poor positioning have cost them crucial points.
Against Crystal Palace and Brentford, they were cut open too easily, and it showed a worrying lack of defensive organisation and discipline, gaps that stronger teams will punish if not addressed quickly. If Forest can press aggressively and capitalise on set-pieces or counterattacks, they have a genuine chance to exploit those loopholes at the back.
2. Forest’s Threat on the Counter
With the array of skilful players at their disposal and under the guidance of Sean Dyche, Forest are at their best when playing on the break.
With Nigerian international Taiwo Awoniyi holding up play for pacey forwards like Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi to exploit Liverpool’s defence, Forest could use their transition play – just like against Manchester United – to catch Liverpool off guard, especially when the Reds push numbers forward.
3. Pressure on Arne Slot’s Side
From winning the league last season with 10 points, to starting the following campaign with seven wins in all competitions, expectations are still high on Liverpool overcoming this difficult spell they find themselves in and turn things around.
The growing pressure on Arne Slot and his players to deliver consistent performances could play into Forest’s hands.
Liverpool’s struggle to convert dominance into goals in recent matches might allow Forest to frustrate them early on and grow in belief as the Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest game progresses.
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Conclusion
Based on current form, it’s difficult to see which side of Arne Slot’s Liverpool would turn up against Forest. And as usual, they are expected to dominate possession and create more chances.
On paper, it looks like a straightforward win for Liverpool, as they’ll look to feed off the electric Anfield atmosphere to push for a dominant performance and secure all three points. However, recent inconsistencies mean they can’t afford to underestimate their opponents.
Sean Dyche has got his side playing impressive football, having already pulled off a surprise win, such as their triumph over Porto in the Europa League. With two wins, two draws, and a single loss since his appointment, his team’s confidence would have been steadily growing and could soon lift them out of the relegation zone and lift them higher up the Premier League table.
Combined with their renewed sense of belief and tactical discipline, this game could prove to be far more competitive than many anticipate.
Prediction
The Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest game remains tough to call despite the Reds’ recent dip in form, with the win probability still heavily favouring Liverpool at 73.8%, compared to Forest’s 26.2%.
This match will be closely contested and whoever comes out victorious will do so with a slim margin. Anything other than a win for Liverpool would be seen as a disaster and would further send the club’s season into a deeper crisis, increasing pressure on Arne Slot’s Liverpool and widening the gap between them and the Premier League’s top four.
Score prediction: Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest (1-1)
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Action Plus
Recording Date: 10.11.2025
