Liverpool will be the first side to take on Nottingham Forest with new manager Vitor Pereira on the sideline for the first time.
Forest have looked a shadow of the side that qualified for Europe last season, and are now on their fourth coach of the campaign.
Their woeful form has them in and amongst the Premier League relegation candidates.
Despite that, Liverpool were thrashed by Forest earlier this season — a low point for Arne Slot’s side that shocked the Anfield crowd.
Start, bring on, leave on the bench vs Forest… ✅🔄🪑
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Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool running during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield. Trey Nyoni in action during Liverpool's pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Kieran Morrison during Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Carabao Cup Fourth Round.
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This time around, the Reds are in a better place, though they must be wary of Pereira’s track record taking on a new job in England.
Vitor Pereira could replicate Wolves start at Nottingham Forest
While the end of Pereira’s time at Molineux saw the relationship with fans sour, his first months were some of the best Wolves have had in recent years.
A man of the people, the Portuguese endeared himself to the fans from day one, famously remarking: “First the points, then the pints.”
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And he stayed true to his word, taking the Old Gold from almost-certain relegation from the Premier League to comfortable survival by a margin of 14 points.
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That included a historic five-game winning run from a side that managed just two wins from 16 before his arrival.
Liverpool have struggled in this fixture. Salah was contained by Forest in a way no other side managed last season, and the game in November was an embarrassment.
Sure, the vibes at the City Ground have been grim, but there’s always the chance of a new manager bounce. Liverpool need to take this weekend’s fixture by the scruff of the neck.
Who to start in midfield vs Nottingham Forest
There’s not much debate to be had around Liverpool’s starting XI with so many players out, but one area where we don’t know what Slot will do is midfield.
The City Ground is a rather tricky place to go — at least, it was last season. We can expect to have to break down a stubborn defensive block.
So Florian Wirtz has to start in the middle, and Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch behind.
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I’m not forgetting about Dominik Szoboszlai. He can step in at right-back for hopefully the final time, with Joe Gomez and Jeremie Frimpong on the road to recovery.
We suggested Slot should swap Mac Allister and Gravenberch’s roles based on what they’re doing well right now.
We will need all of those midfielders, in my opinion, to set a positive tone and disrupt the home side as they figure out Pereira’s system for the first time.
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