Forest take on the Reds at the City Ground this afternoon as they look to build on their Fenerbache victory in the Europa League
Leigh Curtis Derby County Writer
11:58, 22 Feb 2026
Alan Shearer
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Alan Shearer(Image: SmartFrame/Every Second Media)
Peter Crouch, Alan Shearer and Paul Merson have handed Nottingham Forest the perfect ammuntion for their clash with Liverpool this afternoon by predicting a straightforward victory for Arne Slot's side.
Liverpool travel to the City Ground as they resume their Premier League campaign with Arne Slot seeking his first triumph over Forest in what is Vitor Pereira's first home game in charge.
Liverpool will be keen to capitalise on Chelsea's latest stumble on Saturday, with the Blues having surrendered a 1-0 advantage at Stamford Bridge against Burnley to secure just a single point, presenting an opportunity for the Reds to draw level with them.
The encouraging news heading into the fixture is that the pundits are unanimously expecting Liverpool to seize the moment, with ex-Reds frontman Crouch backing his former club to prevail today.
"Things are looking brighter for Liverpool and [Mohamed] Salah amongst the goals again. So, I can't see anything other than the Liverpool win if I'm honest," he stated whilst predicting a 3-1 triumph for the Reds on his podcast.
Former Newcastle and England striker Shearer is in agreement, having tipped a Liverpool victory for Betfair.
"Nottingham Forest have a change of manager and it was a huge decision which sort of came out of the blue," Shearer commented. "But I think Liverpool look as if they've got some sort of normality back, so I'll go for an away win.
"I think it'll be between Nottingham Forest and West Ham for who does take that third relegation place. I don't see Forest getting anything this weekend. I think they'll make it tough but not have enough on the day.
"I think, as Arsenal found it tough, City found it tough there as well, and Liverpool will as well because I think Vitor Pereira will get a great reception and the City Ground will be rocking. However, I think the form that Liverpool are in, they'll just have too much."
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson completes the set of pundits, having tipped Liverpool to clinch a 2-0 victory at the City Ground.
"I think Forest have a good chance of staying up because they have decent fixtures coming up. But they must look to get a result against Liverpool this weekend to set the tone for it," Merson told Sportskeeda.
"Liverpool destroyed Sunderland last time out. I haven't seen any other team do that to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this season. Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah starting to look like their old selves has helped Liverpool.
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"You don't play for Liverpool if you're not a good defender, so Konate must have the trust of everyone at the club. Otherwise, Liverpool would have gone all in for [Marc] Guehi.
"The Liverpool line-up also looks quite settled now. Few weeks ago, we had no idea who would be in the starting XI. But now, at least nine players are nailed on and that has made a difference to them. I expect a comfortable win."