The latest injury updates from Forest as they aim to stage an upset against Liverpoolplaceholder image
The latest injury updates from Forest as they aim to stage an upset against Liverpool | Getty Images/ Canva
The latest injury news ahead of Nottingham Forest’s clash with Liverpool as Sean Dyche sweats over the fitness of key players
Former Everton boss Sean Dyche makes his first trip to Anfield since returning to the dugout as he leads his Nottingham Forest team into battle against the champions. Dyche has the fairly unique challenge of trying to find a pathway out of the bottom three with the Tricky Trees while also taking the club while also navigating his way through their first European campaign in 30 years.
Unlike the previous three seasons, few expected the team to be in a relegation battle. In fact, after finishing seventh last term, Ange Postecoglou’s final game in charge, a 3-0 defeat at home to Chelsea, marked the first time the club had dropped into the bottom three since March 2024, when news first broke of the club receiving a four-point deduction.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side almost instantly climbed out of that position, and between then and now Forest went 567 days without falling into the relegation places. Dyche has been in the dugout for around a month, losing once, drawing once while earning his first win at the third time of asking against Leeds United before the international break.
He’s on the whole had a positive effect on the team while navigating his way through a series of challenging injuries, including the absence of 20-goal striker Chris Wood, who is still waiting for his dream reunion with the coach that brought him to Burnley. With that in mind, we take a look at the latest injury updates from Forest as they aim to stage an upset against Liverpool in one of the most challenging grounds to win at for visiting teams in world football.
When is Chris Wood back from injury?
Last season’s top scorer Wood has missed the last three league matches with a knee injury that he sustained during the October international break with New Zealand.
The former Newcastle United striker, who hasn’t scored since netting a brace on matchday one against Brentford, was reportedly in contention to play against Leeds United before November’s break, but ultimately wasn’t risked by the manager, with Igor Jesus leading the line instead.
However, he’ll be hoping that Wood is fit enough to play in some capacity against a Liverpool team that he scored against in a 1-1 draw last term. Opposing manager Arne Slot has complained a great deal about direct football and long-throws and Wood is the perfect player to capitalise on any deficiencies, having scored eight headers in the league last term.
When will Callum Hudson-Odoi, Douglas Luiz and Ola Aina return to action?
Former Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is nursing a thigh injury. He’s believed to be a doubt to start against Liverpool but could feature in some capacity as the situation continues to be assessed. However, Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz won’t make this one. The former Aston Villa ace sustained a thigh injury and is still being assessed by the medical team as they map out a full rehab plan.
Oleksandr Zinchenko groin injury is expected to keep him out of the game at Anfield, although there’s hope that the Ukrainian will feature before the end of the month.
The same, however, doesn’t apply to Ola Aina. He enjoyed an outstanding campaign last term, but has struggled with persistent injuries this season. He’s expected to miss the remainder of 2025 with a thigh problem and is likely looking at January for a return to action.
Dilane Bakwa, a summer signing from Strasbourg, is expected to return at the end of the month to give the team fresh options out wide. Meanwhile, backup goalkeeper Angus Gunn is out with a knee injury - an exact time on his recovery hasn’t been determined.
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