Ian Doyle - Team picks itself without Nunez
Liverpool have never won a Premier League game at Nottingham Forest. Today, then, would be a good time to change that as Jurgen Klopp’s side look to continue growing momentum after three successive wins.
What, though, is the Reds boss to do regards his team selection?
Alisson Becker, man of the moment after his penalty save against West Ham United on Wednesday, is in goal. And the defence should revert to Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.
Midfield, as ever, is the tricky one. I’d bring in Fabinho alongside Thiago Alcantara at the base, with Roberto Firmino remaining in front of them.
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It doesn’t seem as though Darwin Nunez will make it so the rest of the team more or less picks itself. Harvey Elliott is wide right, Fabio Carvalho on the left and Mohamed Salah spearheads the attack.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago; Elliott, Firmino, Carvalho; Salah
Paul Gorst - Thiago needs a rest
Still no Ibrahima Konate or Joel Matip to consider for this one, so the centre-back partnership is as you were. Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk have rewound the clock to 2020 of late with their partnership that has kept clean sheets against Manchester City and West Ham.
The defensive question is whether to stick with Kostas Tsimikas or restore Andy Robertson at left-back? I think Klopp will opt for the Scotland captain over his Greek counterpart, despite the assist for Darwin Nunez on Wednesday night.
In midfield, I think it might be a good time to start Fabinho and rest Thiago Alcantara. The Spaniard has played a fair bit of football over the last few days and I think this is an ideal chance for him to put his feet up ahead of that Ajax game that could secure knockout football in the Champions League next week.
Harvey Elliott can return too alongside Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and hopefully Nunez, who has been assessed for a potential issue after his match-winning performance against the Hammers in midweek.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Elliott; Salah, Firmino, Nunez
Keifer MacDonald - Elliott and Carvalho out wide
After back-to-back Premier League victories for just the second time this season, Saturday's trip to Nottingham Forest presents Liverpool with the opportunity to leave their stuttering start to the campaign firmly in the rear-view mirror with all three points at the City Ground.
And with the Reds finally finding some consistency, it will be more of the same from Jurgen Klopp when he names his team at 11:30 in the Midlands.
The backline stands as usual with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson in control of the right and left flanks. Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk will be trusted with securing their third clean sheet in as many games - with Alisson Becker behind the central pairing.
Fabio Carvalho will continue on the left-hand side of midfield in what will be another variation of the recently tried 4-4-2/4-2-3-1. His former Fulham team-mate Harvey Elliott is on the right and Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara will resume their duties in the middle of the park.
After Klopp revealed that Liverpool were waiting on the availability of Darwin Nunez, after he felt muscle tightness on during the victory over the Hammers, it could be Mohamed Salah paired with Roberto Firmino in attack. The Uruguayan can take to the bench and be introduced later in the fixture should his imposing presence in the final third be needed.
My team (4-4-2): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Henderson, Thiago, Carvalho; Salah, Firmino
Tom Cavilla - Jones makes return as Nunez benched
It’s another quick turnaround for Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp’s side go head-to-head with Nottingham Forest.
The Reds will be looking to build on their midweek win over West Ham United but will have one eye on their midweek trip to Amsterdam, which could see progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League confirmed.
After being rested against the Hammers, Andy Robertson is likely to regain his place at left-back at the expense of Kostas Tsimikas. Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk should, however, keep their places as Liverpool go in search of a third consecutive clean sheet.
In midfield, rotation could be on the cards as Klopp looks to continue promoting competition for places with the side. After being deployed as a substitute on Wednesday evening, Curtis Jones could be called upon from the off on the left flank. Harvey Elliott will look to maintain his promising start to the campaign of the opposite side, with Thiago and Fabinho operating in the centre of the pitch.
Darwin Nunez remains a doubt in attack and is therefore not worth risking from the off, paving the way for Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah to exploit Forest’s leaky defence.
My team (4-4-2): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson; Jones, Thiago, Fabinho, Elliott; Firmino, Salah.
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- Darwin Nunez, Ibrahima Konate, Naby Keita - full Liverpool injury list with expected return dates
