Gameweek 27 of the Premier League brings an intriguing clash at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon, as Nottingham Forest host Liverpool. Both sides head into the contest off the back of commanding 3-0 victories in cup competition, setting the stage for a high-tempo encounter between a relegation-battling side and champions chasing a top-four finish.
While Liverpool’s hopes of retaining their Premier League crown appear increasingly slim, the campaign remains very much alive on two other fronts. Under Arne Slot, the Reds have shown resilience in knockout competitions, most recently sweeping aside Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup. Goals from Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah secured a comfortable progression, adding momentum ahead of this league fixture.
Across all competitions, Liverpool have claimed four wins from their last five outings. However, their Premier League form has lacked sustained consistency. Just two victories have arrived in their previous six league matches, although both wins came in their last three fixtures, keeping them within striking distance of the Champions League places.
Away form remains a slight concern. The victory over Sunderland marked their first at the Stadium of Light this season, yet back-to-back away league wins have eluded them since September. That inconsistency will be tested against a Forest side reinvigorated by managerial change.
Forest’s 3-0 Europa League triumph over Fenerbahce marked an emphatic start to the tenure of Vitor Pereira. Goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White ended a three-match winless run and provided a timely morale boost.
Pereira has built a reputation for strong managerial debuts, and his immediate objective is clear: steer Forest away from the relegation zone. Sitting 17th, just three points above danger, the margin for error remains narrow. Encouragingly, only one defeat has come in their last six Premier League matches, although three successive draws at home highlight their difficulty in converting performances into maximum points.
Goals have been scarce at the City Ground. Forest have scored just once in each of their last four league matches on home soil. Yet they can draw confidence from their recent record against Liverpool, including a 3-0 victory earlier in the season, extending their unbeaten run against the champions to three games.
Injuries & Suspensions
Liverpool’s injury list remains largely unchanged. Jeremie Frimpong continues to recover from a hamstring issue and is targeting a return later this month. Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Alexander Isak are also sidelined.Jones impressed in a makeshift right-back role in the cup, but with Ryan Gravenberch expected to return to midfield, Szoboszlai could again be deployed in a hybrid defensive function if required. Virgil van Dijk will marshal the defence, while Salah remains the primary attacking threat.
Forest, meanwhile, emerged from their European exertions without fresh injury concerns. However, several absentees persist. Willy Boly and Chris Wood are dealing with knee issues, as are John Victor and Nicolo Savona. Goalkeeper Matz Sels remains sidelined with a groin complaint, meaning Stefan Ortega should continue between the posts.
Murillo and Gibbs-White, both on the scoresheet in recent meetings, will be central to Forest’s attacking ambitions.
Possible Starting Lineups
Nottingham Forest:Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Sangare; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus
Liverpool:
Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Expert Prediction
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Liverpool
