**Liverpool host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this weekend and journalist Lewis Steele has dropped a big claim about their starting XI.**
The champions are back in action after the international break on Saturday afternoon, taking on Sean Dyche’s Forest side at Anfield.
It feels like a must-win game for Arne Slot’s Liverpool team, with their title hopes already looking faint, and they need as many key players fit and in form as possible.
According to [_The Daily Mail_](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15309261/liverpool-confidential-transfers-wonderkid-chelsea-arsenal-semenyo-guehi.html)‘s Steele, Alisson is expected to start for the Reds this weekend, having not featured since the 1-0 defeat away to Galatasarsay back in September.
_“Liverpool No 1 Alisson is pencilled in to return to the starting XI this week in a welcome boost to Slot. The Reds have been leaking goals recently and are on a run of seven defeats in the last 10, with the Brazilian missing the last eight of those matches._
_“Giorgi Mamardashvili deserves credit as, once he settled, the Georgian barely put a foot wrong and could not be blamed for the poor run that has seen the Reds keep just two clean sheets in the last 13 games. But Alisson’s aura instils defenders with confidence so his return will be a big boost for Slot.”_
**A much-needed fitness boost for Liverpool**
---------------------------------------------
This is fantastic news for Liverpool, even though Giorgi Mamardashvili has done a solid job in goal in the absence of such an influential figure.
The Brazilian is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world when fit and firing, and he brings an aura between the sticks that few in the game can, making the defence in front of him feel more secure.
Hopefully, Alisson’s return to the team coincides with Liverpool returning to form, following such a disappointing start to their Premier League title defence.
Failure to beat Forest would be another damaging blow for the Reds, further suggesting that all is not well currently, but a resounding win would hopefully mean that a corner has been turned.
Alisson being back can only be a good thing for Liverpool, and while he will take time to be back to his best, supporters will be buoyed by him returning to the XI.