Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Preview: Reds Target Home Victory at Anfield

Liverpool and Nottingham Forest are set for an early afternoon battle at Anfield on Saturday, August 29th. The Reds are coming off a dramatic stoppage-time draw with Newcastle, while Forest lost at home to Leeds 1-0.

Countering The Counter

Liverpool surrendered both goals vs Newcastle on the counterattack. I suggested putting Wataru Endō at Left Back to remedy the issue in the predicted lineups. Andoni Iraola said he needed to see more discipline from the midfielders.

“Obviously, we cannot attack with everyone and then leave everyone at the back, but also, there is a balance there. I don't want to tell Ryan Gravenberch, 'Don't carry the ball and don't arrive to the box.' Because I think we scored against Monaco; the goal we scored, I think the one-two, it was Gravenberch to [Dominik] Szoboszlai and then a pass to Alex [Isak], and he scores, and no-one asked me, 'Why are you leaving Ryan Gravenberch and Szoboszlai there on the edge [of the box] both together?' No, they said, 'Incredible goal, lovely goal.' 

The Troubled Trees

Forest have been a team on the rise the last few seasons, but they have struggled to start this one. Not only did Forest lose the EPL opener to Leeds, but Forest have also been knocked out of the Carabao Cup. This is not as surprising when considering that they lost a lot in the offseason to transfers, including Elliot Anderson, Willy Boly, Omar Richards, Stefan Ortega, Angus Gunn, and former Liverpool player Taiwo Awoniyi.

Even so, Liverpool should expect a challenge as Forest have always played them tough. It took a game-winner from Alexis Mac Allister in the 97th minute for Liverpool to beat Forest on the City Ground last season.

Home Sweet Home

Liverpool have not lost at Anfield to open a season since a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Chelsea in 2003. In fact, they have not lost an August match at Anfield since 2015. Forest are just 1-9 in their last 10 away matches to open a season, so all signs point to a Liverpool victory.

LFC Globe Verdict

All signs point to a Liverpool win, but nothing is easy in the EPL. The Reds must guard against the counterattack, and they will be fine. It will also be Rio Ngumoha’s 18th birthday on matchday, so hopefully, the lad can celebrate with a goal.

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