Liverpool don already resign say dem no go fit defend dia Premier League title again for this season, and dem go host one Nottingham Forest side wey dey show correct defensive strength, for Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Arne Slot men dem return to losing ways just before the international break, while Sean Dyche players dey target to extend dia unbeaten run to four matches for all competitions for Merseyside.
Match Preview
Liverpool fans fit point finger give the wahala decision wey cancel Virgil van Dijk goal for Etihad, but no one Red supporter suppose dey under illusion say dem deserve anything from the 3-0 beating wey Manchester City give dem.
All those dogged displays against Aston Villa and Real Madrid wey dem put up before the Manchester match no mean anything as Jeremy Doku almost single-handedly scatter the Liverpool backline and finish scoring with one sweet curler after Erling Haaland and Nico Gonzalez don score earlier.
City first two goals get small luck for inside deflection, but the general performance no get luck inside at all — the Sky Blues dominate well and deserve the win. The match still break Liverpool 44-game scoring streak for Premier League.
The gap between the champions and table leaders Arsenal don reach eight points, and Slot men mathematically dey as close to relegation zone as dem dey to the Gunners. Because of that, fans and pundits don begin talk say “title no dey come back to Merseyside this season”.
But Anfield form dey paint better picture for Slot side — the Reds don win four from dia last five Premier League home games this season, and e don pass one year since Liverpool last fail to score for Anfield for league football.
Even with that, Liverpool fans no go forget who stop dem from scoring for Anfield for September 2024: na this same Forest side. Now Forest dey come Anfield again with hope say dem go win back-to-back league matches for Liverpool home ground for the first time since 1963.
Forest dey 11 places and nine points behind Liverpool for table, but Dyche men don show small recovery: dem dey unbeaten in three and don lose only one from dia last five matches for all competitions.
Gameweek 11 give dem only dia second Premier League win this season as dem beat Leeds United 3-1 for City Ground. Ibrahim Sangare, Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson score the goals wey carry dem to within one point of safety.
Even though Dyche get reputation for defence, Forest under am dey average more shots (13) and better Expected Goals (1.6) per game pass under Ange Postecoglou or Nuno Espirito Santo. Whether na new manager bounce or not, time go tell.
Forest collect four points from Liverpool last season and dem fit now go unbeaten in three straight league games against the Reds for the first time since 1993.
Team News
Good news dey scarce for Liverpool fans recently, but dem go fit rejoice small as first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker dey expected to return this Saturday after him hamstring injury.
But as one player dey return, another one dey go out — Florian Wirtz and Conor Bradley dey miss this weekend with muscular injuries. Dem join Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) for treatment room.
Slot get serious right-back wahala to solve, but Cody Gakpo fit replace Wirtz directly for attack. Alexander Isak fit also start as him dey in line to replace Hugo Ekitike for front.
Isak wey Liverpool buy for £125m remain on bench against City but fit start here, while Mohamed Salah go play him 300th Premier League match for the reigning champions.
For Nottingham Forest side, Chris Wood (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip), Dilane Bakwa (unknown), Ola Aina (thigh), Douglas Luiz (thigh) and Angus Gunn (knee) all dey unavailable. Taiwo Awoniyi too get him own injury problem.
Because of that, Igor Jesus and Arnaud Kalimuendo go battle to lead attack again. But good news be say Callum Hudson-Odoi fit return.
Whoever lead the line go get support from captain Morgan Gibbs-White, wey dey chase goal for the third straight Premier League match — something wey him never do before for him career.
Liverpool Possible Starting Lineup
Alisson; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak
Nottingham Forest Possible Starting Lineup
Sels; Savona, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hutchinson; Jesus
We Say: Liverpool 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Whether Wood dey available or not, Forest direct football and low block style under Dyche get potential to disturb Liverpool seriously. Dem don improve for attack too.
International break favour the champions-in-crisis small, but even with that, e hard to back Liverpool with full confidence. We believe say Forest fit collect point for Anfield.
