Five Premier League defeats in a row, a traditional club languishing in eighth place and an opponent fighting for survival in 19th place who has recently gained confidence – that is the situation at Anfield, where Liverpool welcomes Nottingham Forest. Despite the clear difference in the table, Liverpool are in a form crisis, while Forest have gained confidence. There is therefore every reason to expect a close, intense duel.
Form and situation Liverpool: The Reds are experiencing their most serious crisis under Arne Slot to date, with five defeats in their last five Premier League games and already eight points behind leaders Arsenal. The 3-0 defeat to Manchester City was the low point so far. On a positive note, Alisson is back after six weeks and is expected to replace Mamardashvili in goal, which could bring defensive stability. Alexander Isak is also back, but he still lacks match practice after his injury and a quiet international break.
Form and situation Nottingham Forest: Forest are deep in the relegation battle with only nine points from eleven games, but recently secured an important 3-1 home win against Leeds. Sean Dyche is getting a fighting performance from his team, but Douglas Luiz is out with thigh problems, while Tariq Lamptey and Ola Aina are unavailable due to a lack of eligibility. However, the problems in front of goal and in consistency remain.
Head-to-head and market: Forest won the last meeting 1-0 in Liverpool in September, while the return fixture in January ended 1-1. The recent record is therefore not one-sided in Liverpool’s favor, although the Reds had previously won three times in a row against Forest. Nevertheless, betting providers see Liverpool as clear favorites, with an estimated probability of over 70%.
Key battles and prediction: The Reds’ central defense and the goalkeeper battle will be decisive, as Alisson should provide additional security, along with Forest’s counterattacks and their danger from set pieces. Liverpool remain favorites, especially as the home side are expected to dominate possession and apply sustained pressure, but Forest’s counterattacking strength and recent positive results make an upset possible. A conservative expectation is a narrow home win for Liverpool or a draw if the Reds’ defense cannot be stabilized.
What to watch: Immediately before kickoff, the lineups should be checked, especially the availability of Alisson and Isak and the absences at Forest. Tactical adjustments under Slot and Dyche, discipline and possible early goals from set pieces, as well as Liverpool’s response to their recent crisis, will significantly shape the character of this match.
- Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
- Date and time: November 22, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
- Competition: Premier League (Matchday 12)
Tip 1: Over 2.5 goals. This approach is plausible. Liverpool’s defensive weakness, with 17 goals conceded in 11 league games, combined with Forest’s high goal frequency – more than 1.5 goals were scored in 80% of their last five games – justifies the expectation of a high-scoring game, even if Liverpool are the 1.40 favorites. Alisson’s return does not immediately reduce the risk completely.
Tip 2: Both teams to score. This tip is well justified. Forest’s invincibility in the second half of their last five games and Liverpool’s tendency to concede goals in eight out of ten away games suggest that both sides will score. Fluctuations in form in central defense, including Van Dijk, and at least three goals conceded in three of the last five games reinforce this assessment.
Tip 3: At least 2 goals for Forest. This tip is riskier, but data-driven. Liverpool have conceded three goals in each of their last games against Palace, Brentford, and Manchester City, while Forest have won their last two games by a two-goal margin. The high odds of 7.0 show that the market clearly considers this outcome an outsider option, but statistical indicators and the pressure on Liverpool, who are eight points behind the leaders, make the tip understandable.
Note on risk and bankroll: All three tips are based on form and goals conceded trends, not guarantees. Injuries, tactical changes, or an unpredictable game can significantly shift the probabilities. The stake should therefore be consistently adjusted and staggered in line with your own risk management.
Liverpool form & record check
Liverpool are going through an unexpectedly difficult phase after their surprise title win last season. The Reds are currently in 8th place in the Premier League with 18 points, level on points with Manchester United in 7th and Bournemouth in 9th, and already eight points behind leaders Arsenal. Their form is poor, with four defeats in their last five league games, most recently a clear 3-0 defeat at Manchester City.
Interestingly, there is a clear contrast between the league and the Champions League. Although the team is struggling in the Premier League, they managed an important 1-0 win against Real Madrid at Anfield Road 16 days ago. However, this success had no lasting positive effect on their league form; on the contrary, the subsequent defeat at City reinforced the doubts.
The expensive summer investments of around £450 million have not yet had the desired effect. New signings such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez have been slow to integrate, with only Ekitike settling in relatively well so far. Coach Arne Slot faces the challenging task of forming a well-coordinated team from the large squad.
There are clear problems in defense. Liverpool have conceded 17 goals in 11 league games, making them the seventh-worst defense in the league. Even leading players such as Virgil van Dijk seem more vulnerable this season and have been criticized for positioning errors. The return of regular goalkeeper Alisson after a six-week break could bring additional stability, while Frimpong is currently still out but could return.
Other patterns: Four of the last five games have not ended in a draw, resulting in either clear wins or losses, and four of the five games have seen fewer than 1.5 goals scored in the second half. This suggests that Liverpool are struggling to turn games around or regain control after the break. Experts such as Jamie Carragher are already calling for additional reinforcements in January, especially in defense, not least because of Leoni’s long-term absence with a cruciate ligament rupture.
Outlook and options for action: In the short term, stabilization in defense, i.e., Alisson’s form and coordination with van Dijk, better integration of new signings, and clearer tactical adjustments after halftime are crucial. In the medium term, the January transfer window could be used to bring in targeted defensive quality. Slots success will depend on whether he can quickly establish a clear starting lineup and functioning processes; the next few weeks are likely to be decisive for the course of the season.
Liverpool are likely to line up in their usual 4-2-3-1 system. Alisson returns after a six-week injury break and is expected to take his place in goal again.
It could be a tight race for record signing Alexander Isak in the forward line. After his own injury and a quiet international break, he lacks match practice, while Hugo Ekitike has earned himself the top spot and is likely to be preferred due to his goal for France.
The defense looks set, with Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Andrew Robertson, and Conor Bradley forming the back four.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister form the double six duo. Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Florian Wirtz are expected to play in front of them, although Wirtz is still struggling to find his best form.
Nottingham Form & Record Check
Nottingham Forest are deep in the relegation battle in 19th place with only nine points. Their form in the last five league games is one win, one draw, and three defeats, with a goal difference of minus 10 for the season. Defensive vulnerability and a lack of consistency in attack are the main problems, which are directly reflected in the table.
However, looking at all competitions, their performances show significant fluctuations. A strong 3-1 home win against Leeds, a 0-0 draw in the Europa League in Graz, and a 2-0 home win against Porto suggest that the team is capable of very good performances at times. This speaks for the potential that exists in the squad, which has not yet been consistently realized in the league.
Personnel situation: Ola Aina is unavailable due to a lack of eligibility in the league, while Douglas Luiz is sidelined with a thigh injury. Individual bright spots such as Elliot Anderson, who is currently attracting attention from Manchester United, or Sangaré can decide games, but they alone are not enough to conceal structural deficits.
Recommendations for the way forward: First, defensive stability should be prioritized, with a more compact formation and clearer assignments on set pieces. Second, simplifying tactics in attack can help strengthen the collective, with fewer individual actions and more clear running paths. Third, targeted player management is needed in the short term; Douglas Luiz should be brought back cautiously and alternative ball distribution solutions should be explored. Fourthly, psychological stabilization is needed, with a focus on consistency and self-confidence through targeted training content and team building, so that short-term improvements and staying in the league become more realistic.
Sean Dyche is expected to opt for the tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 formation again. The presumed starting lineup: Sels in goal, in front of him a back four with Zinchenko, Milenković, Murillo, and Williams. Sangaré and Anderson are expected in defensive midfield, with Gibbs-White as playmaker between the lines. Hudson-Odoi and Ndoye are expected to bring pace on the wings, with Igor Jesus leading the line.
Tactical implications: The formation remains compact and defensively solid, with two defensive midfielders, Sangaré and Anderson, securing the center. Gibbs-White acts as a link player and is expected to exploit the space between the defense and the attack. Hudson-Odoi and Ndoye provide width and pace on the wings, while Igor Jesus occupies the finishing position.
Impact of absences: Douglas Luiz’s injury reduces ball circulation and creativity in central midfield, forcing Dyche to give more responsibility to Sangaré, Anderson, and Gibbs-White. Omari Hutchinson’s absence reduces the offensive options at number 10 and on the wing, forcing Dyche to make minor adjustments, such as a stronger focus on the wings or more direct play to Igor Jesus.
Possible adjustments during the game: If necessary, Dyche can bring on a more offensive defensive midfielder or an additional creative midfielder, for example, swapping a defensive midfielder for a number 10, or switching to a 4-3-3 system to create more presence in midfield. Otherwise, the focus will likely be on stability and transition play down the wings.
Liverpool – Nottingham Head-to-head comparison & statistics
The record from the last five games slightly favors Liverpool. The Reds won three games, Nottingham Forest won one, and another game ended in a draw. Forest’s only victory came in September 2024, with a surprise 1-0 win at Anfield Road. The most recent meeting in January 2025 ended 1-1 and was also an away game for Liverpool.
Time dominance and streaks: Liverpool recorded three consecutive wins against Forest between April 2023 and March 2024, with home wins of 3-2 and 3-0 and a 1-0 away win. This streak was interrupted in September 2024 by Forest’s away win, indicating an increase in the visitors’ away form.
Course of the games by half: In four of the five games, fewer than two goals were scored in the first half, meaning that the games are usually rather uneventful at halftime. Liverpool showed its greater effectiveness especially after the break, scoring goals in the second half in four of the five games. Forest also conceded goals after the break in four games, indicating difficulties in adjusting at halftime.
Goals and goal distribution: Only two of the five games saw more than 3.5 goals scored in the entire 90 minutes. Liverpool scored in four of the five games, while Forest failed to score in three games. The Reds dominated the second half in particular, which is reflected in an 80% win rate after the break.
