Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Premier League prediction, odds and betting offer

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The international break arrived at an ideal moment for Liverpool, whose 3-0 defeat to Manchester City undid the momentum gained from back-to-back wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid. By their own high standards, the reigning champions have underperformed this season, currently trailing league leaders Arsenal by eight points and sitting four behind second-placed Manchester City.

Much of Liverpool’s struggles can be traced to a tactical shift from last season’s near-flawless setup, resulting in a more chaotic style of play that has left them vulnerable to counter-attacks—a weakness that Nottingham Forest may look to exploit. Arne Slot’s side have lost five of their last six league matches, though it’s worth noting that only one of those defeats came at Anfield, against Manchester United. Despite their issues, Liverpool have won four of their five home league games this season, but defensive frailties remain, as they have conceded at least once in every home match.

Liverpool fans might feel aggrieved by the controversial decision to disallow Virgil van Dijk’s goal at the Etihad, but even the most optimistic supporter would admit that their side were deservedly beaten by a dominant Manchester City. Previous gritty performances against Aston Villa and Real Madrid counted for little in Manchester, where Jeremy Doku tormented the Liverpool defence and rounded off the scoring after earlier goals from Erling Haaland and Nico Gonzalez. While City benefited from deflections for their first two goals, their overall display fully merited the victory, which also ended Liverpool’s impressive 44-game scoring run in the Premier League.

The gap to Arsenal now stands at eight points, and with Liverpool as close to the relegation zone as they are to the top, it’s understandable that hopes of retaining the title are fading. Still, their home form under Slot offers some encouragement, with four wins from five league matches at Anfield this season, and it’s been over a year since they last failed to score at home in the top flight.

Nottingham Forest, under new manager Sean Dyche, have shown signs of improvement, going unbeaten in their last three matches in all competitions. Like Liverpool, Forest have defensive issues, having conceded first in eight of their last ten games—a record mirrored by Slot’s side. Goals seem likely at Anfield, with over 2.5 goals scored in six of Liverpool’s last eight matches.

Forest fans will remember that it was their side who kept Liverpool from scoring at Anfield in September 2024, and they return this weekend aiming for consecutive league wins at Anfield for the first time since 1963. While Forest are currently 11 places and nine points behind Liverpool in the table, there are positive signs under Dyche, with the team unbeaten in three and just one defeat in their last five matches in all competitions. Their 3-1 victory over Leeds United in gameweek 11—courtesy of goals from Ibrahim Sangare, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Elliot Anderson—brought them within a point of safety.

Despite Dyche’s reputation for defensive solidity, Forest are averaging more shots (13) and expected goals (1.6) per game under his management than they did under Ange Postecoglou or Nuno Espirito Santo earlier in the season, though it remains to be seen if this is simply a new manager bounce. Forest took four points off Liverpool last season and could now go three league games unbeaten against the Reds for the first time since 1993—a feat achieved when only three members of their current squad were born.

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