Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool: team news, kick-off, referee & TV

Liverpool are looking to bring a fantastic week to a perfect end on Saturday when they travel to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.  

The Reds won their first silverware of the season last Sunday at Wembley, beating Chelsea 1-0 in a memorable Carabao Cup final clash.

That was followed up by a 3-0 win over Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round, with Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns scoring their first Liverpool goals in a superb victory.

However, attention turns back to the Premier League this weekend, with the Reds facing a tricky trip to the City Ground in a rare Saturday 3pm kick-off.

Jurgen Klopp's side know only a win will do from their visit to the Midlands, but injuries continue to plague a threadbare Liverpool squad.

Here is Anfield Watch's preview of Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool this weekend.

DATE, KICK-OFF, STADIUM, REFEREE AND VAR

• Date: Saturday, 2 March

• Kick-off time: 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET /  07:00 PT

• Stadium: City Ground

• Referee: Paul Tierney

• Assistant Referees: Richard West & Scott Ledger

• Fourth Official: Graham Scott

• VAR: Stuart Attwell

• AVAR: Constantine Hatzidakis

NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS LIVERPOOL HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Saturday's clash between Liverpool and Forest will be the 120th since their first meeting all the way back in 1895. In fact, 12 matches between the teams came in the 19th century, with the Reds having dominated this fixture over the years.

Liverpool have won 59, drawn 29 and lost 31 of the 119 games, with recent history favouring Jurgen Klopp's side.

The Reds have only faced Forest on four occasions since the beginning of the 21st century, all of those battles coming since March 2022.

Liverpool have been victorious in three of the four, including the 3-0 win at Anfield earlier in the season in which Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah were all on the scoresheet.

However, the Reds know they can't take a trip to the City Ground for granted, especially given they lost 1-0 there last campaign due to a goal from former Liverpool man Taiwo Awoniyi - although the Nigerian international never made an appearance for the club.

WHERE TO WATCH NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS LIVERPOOL ON TV

Due to the 3pm blackout, there is no way to watch Liverpool's trip to Forest live on TV, although the game will be available to listen to on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Elsewhere, Optus Sport have the rights in Australia, fuboTV in Canada and Peacock in the United States.

In South America, the match will be shown on Star+, while DAZN and Viaplay are among the many different European broadcasters.

SuperSport will be showing the match across much of Africa, while beIN Sports are the major providers in Asia.

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS

Klopp was able to provide a mostly positive injury update during his pre-match press conference prior to the Nottingham Forest clash, with the German confirming that Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez are back in training.

The duo will be welcome returns to the Liverpool squad given the club's extensive injury list, with Wataru Endo and Andy Robertson also possible inclusions on Saturday.

However, the bad news is that Mohamed Salah won't be fit for the trip to the City Ground, although he could return for the Reds as early as next week.

Ryan Gravenberch is missing after sustaining an ankle injury in the Carabao Cup final, while Thiago, Curtis Jones, Alisson, Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip are still sidelined.

The young duo of Stefan Bajcetic and Ben Doak will be absent, although a number of academy stars could make the squad for Saturday given recent displays.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST TEAM NEWS

Liverpool could be set for reunions with a number of former Reds this Saturday, with the likes of Awoniyi, Neco Williams and, of course, Divock Origi all available for Forest.

However, the influential Chris Wood is a major doubt for the match, as are Willy Boly, Ola Aina and Ibrahim Sangare after they all returned from the Africa Cup of Nations with knocks. Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares is also unavailable.

Forest were also in midweek FA Cup action and Nuno Espirito Santo fielded an almost full-strength side against Manchester United. Liverpool would have faced the Midlands club had they progressed, but instead face a trip to Old Trafford.

LIVERPOOL PREDICTED LINEUP

If all goes to plan, then Szoboszlai and Nunez should return to the starting lineup on Saturday, although Liverpool will be eager not to rush them back into action.

Conor Bradley will likely retain his place at right-back ahead of Joe Gomez, while Bobby Clark could also start again in midfield after a dazzling display midweek.

Harvey Elliott's fitness levels may be tested once again at the City Ground with another start, while Luis Diaz should return on the other flank.

(4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Clark; Elliott, Nunez, Diaz.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS LIVERPOOL SCORE PREDICTION

Liverpool's defeat at the City Ground last season will put some doubts in the minds of players and supporters alike, but Nottingham Forest's form leaves a lot to be desired of late.

They have won just one match in 90 minutes since mid-January, although they have only lost one game by more than a single goal in that time period - last weekend in a 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa.

If Liverpool can welcome back the likes of Endo, Szoboszlai and Nunez, then they should have more than enough quality to get the job done against Nuno Espirito Santo's men.

Nottingham Forest 1-2 Liverpool