Prediction: Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

Verdict: Total goals under 2.5

Best odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Betfair

Two unbeaten teams in the Premier League meet at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, as Liverpool host Nottingham Forest.

Arne Slot’s side comfortably defeated arch-rivals Manchester United 3-0 before the international break, while Nottingham Forest secured a 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Liverpool

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On a day when Mohamed Salah’s standout performance at Old Trafford should have dominated the headlines, the Liverpool star instead intensified speculation about his future by suggesting that he is approaching the 2024-25 season as if it might be his final one with the club.

If the Egyptian forward does part ways with Liverpool in nine months, he will do so after once again terrorizing Manchester United, having provided two assists for Luis Diaz and netted his signature goal at Old Trafford in a comprehensive victory two weekends ago.

Liverpool’s emphatic 3-0 win over Erik ten Hag’s side marked a milestone for Slot, who accomplished something that Jurgen Klopp only managed once during his eight full seasons at Liverpool – winning the first three league games of a campaign. Their strong start leaves Liverpool level with Manchester City, only trailing due to goal difference.

Having already made a significant impression on Merseyside, Slot could further cement his place in Premier League history this weekend. No manager since the league’s inception in 1992 has kept four consecutive clean sheets in their first four matches in charge.

Moreover, the last manager to win their first four Premier League games—clean sheet or not—was Maurizio Sarri with Chelsea in 2018. It has also been ten years since Liverpool last lost a home game immediately following an international break, that defeat coming against Aston Villa in September 2014.

Team News

Although Federico Chiesa was eligible to make his Liverpool debut in the dominant victory over Manchester United, he was held back to focus on improving his fitness. However, the former Juventus forward could finally get his chance off the bench this weekend.

There is also hope that Curtis Jones will recover from his groin injury in time for the match, while Alexis Mac Allister has overcome an adductor issue sustained while playing for Argentina and is expected to be fit to start on Saturday.

On the downside, Harvey Elliott has suffered a broken foot, ruling the 21-year-old out for at least six weeks and potentially up to eight. This leaves Salah without one of his usual deputies as he aims for his fourth goal in as many games this season.

Nottingham Forest

Still unbeaten in the top flight this season, Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest went into the international break with a win and two draws from their opening fixtures, having shared the spoils with Bournemouth and edged past Southampton before their manager’s reunion with Wolves.

Chris Wood needed only 10 minutes to demonstrate his aerial dominance, heading in an Elliot Anderson corner. However, just moments later, a stunning strike from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde secured a draw for Santo’s former club.

As one of only two teams—along with Bournemouth—to have drawn two of their first three matches, Forest sit in ninth place in the early league standings, a position their supporters would gladly embrace if it holds at the season’s end.

Including their narrow victory over relegated Burnley on the final day of last season, Forest are now unbeaten in four consecutive Premier League games – Santo’s best streak with the team – while also securing wins in their last three away games. The last time they extended that run to four was in 1995.

However, when it comes to three-game winning runs, Liverpool have emerged victorious in their last three Premier League encounters with Forest. The Garibaldi have not beaten Liverpool at Anfield since 1969, when the legendary Bill Shankly was in charge.

Team News

James Ward-Prowse and Morato could make their debuts for Nottingham Forest, with Ward-Prowse more likely to start the match.

Santo has just two players sidelined at the moment: Danilo is recovering from the serious ankle injury he suffered on the opening weekend, while defender Willy Boly picked up a calf injury during international duty and is also ruled out.

Chris Wood, expected to keep former Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi on the bench, will be aiming to finally break his scoring drought against the Reds, having failed to find the net in his 11 previous league meetings with Saturday’s hosts.

Conclusion

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Although Slot’s tenure is still in its early stages, it is hard to pinpoint any flaws in this Liverpool side, who are unlikely to face much difficulty containing Forest, a team known for their low scoring.

The international break is unlikely to have significantly affected the Reds’ momentum, so it seems likely that Slot will maintain his perfect record, with Forest leaving without any points. However, Liverpool should be able to win the game with no more than three goals all told.

Verdict: Total goals under 2.5

Best odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Betfair