Former Celtic star Chris Sutton has predicted Liverpool will drop more points in the Premier League when they lock horns with high-flying Nottingham Forest this week.
In his debut season, coach Arne Slot has established Liverpool as the outright title favourites. Under Jurgen Klopp’s tutelage, the Reds have won 14 of 19 Premier League games, losing just once. That defeat (1-0) came against Nottingham Forest in September.
With 46 points to their name, Liverpool sit at the top of the Premier League rankings, six points clear of second-placed Arsenal and third-placed Nottingham Forest, with a game in hand.
Liverpool, however, have been below their ruthless best in recent games. Before beating Accrington in the FA Cup 3rd Round, they lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final and drew 2-2 with Manchester United in the Premier League at Anfield Stadium.
Last time out against Liverpool… 💫⏮️ pic.twitter.com/AtRPIMtGFu
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 13, 2025
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, have been absolutely spotless in their last seven games in all competitions, winning them all. They have scored 15 goals and conceded just three.
Liverpool will make the trip to The City Ground for their Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, 14th January. In his BBC column, Sutton predicted the outcome of the most highly anticipated game of Matchday 21.
Chris Sutton Backs Nottingham Forest to Get a Draw Against Liverpool
“Is it fair to say Liverpool have gone a little bit flat recently?” began Sutton.
“That is probably a bit harsh, because they only lost narrowly to Tottenham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, and they still should have beaten Manchester United in their last league game despite an underwhelming performance – they just weren’t ruthless enough.”
He continued:
“Arne Slot’s side are still six points ahead of Arsenal and Forest, with a game in hand, but I think they could drop more points here too. The Forest defence has been formidable and ‘The Wood Chopper’ [Chris Wood] up front has been superb. The likes of Morgan Gibbs-White have really impressed me as well.
“Basically, this is going to be a very tight game with not many goals in it, and I am not going to back against Forest even if there are many ways where I think Liverpool might sneak a victory.”
Sutton concluded by adding:
“You have got to earn the right to win the Premier League, and Liverpool have done brilliantly so far. When you are in a title race, there are always moments in the season where things can go against you a little bit, like they did against United, but they did not lose.
“This might be a period where they do stumble a bit but the teams below them are going to have to really sustain their push. That’s not really happened so far because Arsenal and Chelsea are both having a bit of a wobble. If Liverpool do drop more points here, those two sides really need to make the most of it.”
Sutton’s prediction: Nottingham 1-1 Liverpool
