LIVERPOOL VS NOTTINGHAM FOREST: PREDICTED LINEUP

Liverpool take on Nottingham Forest at Anfield tomorrow for a 2pm kickoff (GMT). The Reds currently sit eighth in the league table whilst Forest lie in the relegation zone on goal difference. Here’s how Jürgen Klopp could line his side up for the encounter. For a match preview, you can head over here.

The manager in his pre-match press conference reported one new injury, with Roberto Firmino ruled out for a couple of weeks with a muscle injury. The Brazilian is the only significant absentee, with most of the squad fit and available.

It’s been another week between games for the manager. That is ideal as he will have had even more time to fine-tune the new 3-2-5 system he’s deployed in the last two games. He hinted at giving it another go tomorrow, calling Trent a ‘smart player’ who can deal with being man marked.

The performance and result last time out had the manager purring on the sidelines. He described the pressing and intensity as the best he had seen ‘in a decade’. With that being said, it could be a pretty straightforward selection. Alisson will start in goal as usual.

In defence, we should see the trio of Konaté, Van Dijk and Robertson start together again. Konaté has been key to this new setup, as his pace, strength and superb reading of the game has allowed Trent the freedom to focus on his midfield role.

Trent will line up alongside Fabinho in the ‘double six’, with the Brazilian another player who a lot is being asked of in this system. He has to be on alert as soon as possession is lost in order to cover an exposed defence.

Ahead of those two, we can expect to see Henderson and Jones keep their place. The skipper may not be the cutest on the ball but he’s been putting in a lot of hard yards on the right wing in support of Salah. He’s done his bit creatively as well since the formation change.

Most chances created in the last two games:

• Jordan Henderson (6)
• Cody Gakpo (6)
• Trent Alexander-Arnold (6)

Curtis on the other hand, has been handed three starts on the spin and has really benefited from the rhythm that it brings. He shone at Elland Road and crowned a strong display with a classy assist – a defence splitting pass for Jota to run on to.

Despite Thiago coming off the bench in each of the last two games after recovering from a hip injury, Jones could keep his place. The Spanish maestro is a lovey footballer to watch but at the minute, as insane as it sounds, he doesn’t walk straight back in, especially with this new setup.

His inclusion will negate the need for Trent to play in the middle, and that’s been the whole point of this venture. Trent is the best creative force in the squad, and any shape that brings the best out of him should be prioritised. Not to mention Jones has done enough to keep the shirt.

In attack, Jota roared back into form last week, netting a brace against Leeds and setting up another goal for Salah. He put in an excellent defensive shift down the left hand side as well, showing why he has been preferred to Darwin in recent weeks.

On the opposite flank, we should see Mohamed Salah line up as usual. The Egyptian also netted a brace at Leeds and is closing in on yet another record tomorrow. A goal will take him level with Robbie Fowler in the all time Liverpool goalscorers list.

Cody Gakpo should also keep his place as the false nine. The manager once again drummed home the importance of pressing from the front, especially against teams that set up in a low block. Gakpo is adept at harrying and closing down and has taken to the Bobby role really well.

The likes of Darwin, Elliott and Thiago should provide handy options off the bench as the game wears on. That’s without mentioning Luis Diaz who marked his return from a five month layoff with a late cameo last week.

Predicted team:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Jones, Salah, Gakpo, Jota.

Subs: Kelleher, Gomez, Matip, Tsimikas, Milner, Elliott, Thiago, Darwin, Diaz.

Predicted Forest XI (5-4-1): Navas, Williams, Felipe, Niakhate, McKenna, Lodi, Mangala, Freuler, Gibbs-White, Johnson, Awoniyi.