The Reds return to Premier League action with a trip to the City Ground, and after Chelsea's dropped points on Saturday, there is a chance to cut the gap to the Champions League places
12:46, 22 Feb 2026Updated 12:54, 22 Feb 2026
A general view from inside the City Ground
Liverpool team news confirmed vs Nottingham Forest
Arne Slot has made two changes to his side for Sunday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest.
Slot has opted to recall Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, both of whom were rested in last week's FA Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion. Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa drop out from last week's XI
Dominik Szoboszlai, who was suspended for the last league match, starts at right-back. Slot has opted against selecting Joe Gomez in defense despite confirming ahead of the game that the 28-year-old is available to start.
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Liverpool has gone with Alisson, as expected, in nets, behind a back four Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez.
Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister start in midfield, while Florian Wirtz is expected to operate in a no.10 role.
In the wide areas, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will look to provide an offensive threat. Ekitike starts in a no.9 role and is hoping to score his first away goal in the Premier League since December.
Liverpool remains without the injured Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Alexander Isak.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion on February 14, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Slot has recalled Gravenberch and Ekitike(Image: Getty Images)
The Reds head to the East Midlands looking to close the gap to the Champions League places, and will be buoyed by Chelsea's dropped points against Burnley on Saturday.
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Brentford's defeat to Brighton was also a boost, and Liverpool will move level on points with Manchester United and Chelsea with victory at the City Ground.
Liverpool team vs Forest: Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Ramsay, Robertson, Nyoni, Jones, Morrison, Chiesa, Ngumoha.