The only 8pm kick-off of Tuesday’s midweek Premier League actions pits Nottingham Forest against Liverpool in an unlikely top of the table clash.
Arne Slot’s visitors would have expected to be in and around the top spots, though the Dutchman’s stellar work since succeeding Jurgen Klopp may have even taken him by surprise. The Reds are sitting pretty above everybody else, six points clear of Arsenal in second with a game in hand.
Astonishingly, Forest, who many would have tipped to be battling relegation, are third and level on points with the Gunners. They have won six games in a row across all competitions – keeping a clean sheet in their last five – and have already hit the magic 40-point mark with 18 games of the season still to play.
As such, they head into this game with every chance of taking at least a point off Liverpool.
Forest s excellent run of form has coincided with their ability to keep key players fit and healthy.
The games may be piling up for Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad, particularly after a tough festive period, but long-term absentees Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare are the only confirmed injury worries. The former broke his ankle on the first day of the season, lasting just 14 minutes, while the latter won’t be available until the end of January at best because of a hamstring injury.
Chris Wood, Forest’s top scorer with 12 Premier League goals, will start up front, likely supported by the pacy duo of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the flanks.
Forest lineup vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.
Liverpool are also faring extremely well in the injury department, having welcomed back Diogo Jota and Ibrahima Konate back into the fold in recent weeks.
Arne Slot’s only confirmed injury worry is Joe Gomez, who is out with a hamstring injury, and he’ll be joined on the sidelines by the suspended Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan picked up his fifth booking of the season in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United, leading to a one-match suspension.
Luis Diaz may continue in a striking role, rotating with Cody Gakpo, leaving Jota on the bench as Mohamed Salah makes up the final piece of a strong front three.
Liverpool lineup vs Forest (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz.
