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Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Prediction: Key Stats and Tips

Liverpool welcome Nottingham Forest to Anfield on 29 August 2026 in the Premier League, with both sides looking to shape their early-season trajectory. The hosts sit mid-table after a 2-2 draw on the opening weekend, while Forest arrive on Merseyside still searching for their first point following a narrow defeat.

With Liverpool aiming to re-establish themselves as title contenders and Nottingham Forest targeting stability away from the relegation battle, this clash carries more weight than a typical Matchday 2 fixture. Recent head-to-head history has been surprisingly competitive, especially at Anfield, adding intrigue to this encounter for bettors and neutral observers alike.

Played at the iconic Anfield under referee S. Barrott, this fixture offers a clear contrast in styles: Liverpool’s high-tempo, possession-heavy approach against a Forest side that has often relied on compact defensive structures and quick transitions. Early-season numbers and historical trends both point to a home advantage, but Forest’s recent successes on this ground mean this is far from a foregone conclusion.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Key Stats

  • Liverpool are 10th in the Premier League with 1 point after 1 match, scoring and conceding 2 goals (2-2 away draw).
  • In the last five competitive meetings, Nottingham Forest have won twice at Anfield, including a 3-0 victory on 22 November 2025 in the Premier League.
  • Across their 2026 Premier League campaign so far, Liverpool average 2.0 goals scored and 2.0 conceded per match, while Forest have yet to score and concede 1.0 goal per game.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest — Tale of the Tape

  • Position: 10 vs 15
  • Points: 1 vs 0
  • Goals For: 2 vs 0
  • Goals Against: 2 vs 1
  • Clean Sheets: Liverpool 0, Nottingham Forest 0 (tournament statistics so far)

After one round of fixtures, Liverpool’s numbers reflect a chaotic opener: two goals scored and two conceded away from home, yielding a single point and a neutral goal difference. They have yet to play at Anfield this Premier League season, so this match doubles as a home debut and an opportunity to assert themselves early in front of their own fans.

Nottingham Forest, 15th with zero points, opened with a 0-1 home defeat. Their attack has yet to register a goal, and they have already failed to score once in one match. Defensively, conceding just once is respectable, but the lack of cutting edge in the final third is a concern ahead of a trip to one of the league’s toughest venues.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Key Matchups

R. Gravenberch vs O. Aina

Ryan Gravenberch is one of Liverpool’s early creative focal points. In his single Premier League appearance this season, he has already provided 1 assist in 78 minutes, completed 47 passes with 91% accuracy, and delivered 1 key pass. His work without the ball is also notable, with 1 tackle and 2 interceptions, plus involvement in 10 duels, winning 4. That blend of ball progression and defensive contribution makes him central to Liverpool’s midfield control.

Opposite him, Ola Aina has been a key figure for Nottingham Forest. In his lone league outing, he played 74 minutes, contributing 26 passes (3 key passes) and attempting 5 dribbles, succeeding with 3. He also engaged in 11 duels, winning 5, and took 1 shot on target. However, he picked up 1 yellow card, underlining his combative style. The battle between Gravenberch’s passing and Aina’s aggressive, ball-carrying presence down the flank or in midfield will be pivotal in determining who controls transitions.

Jair vs Liverpool’s attacking line

Jair, a 20-year-old defender for Forest, has already logged 90 minutes this season with 42 passes at 88% accuracy, 2 tackles, 2 blocks and 1 interception. He also contested 11 duels, winning 4, and drew 2 fouls while committing 2 himself, picking up 1 yellow card. His numbers suggest a proactive defender willing to step out and engage attackers.

While Liverpool’s individual attacking stats for this season are not broken out here, the team’s 2 goals from 2.0 average per game and a penalty scored at a 100% conversion rate highlight a side capable of creating and converting chances. Jair’s ability to cope with Liverpool’s movement, especially against forwards like A. Isak and wide threats such as F. Chiesa or C. Gakpo from the squad list, will be crucial to Forest’s chances of keeping the scoreline manageable.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

Recent clashes between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest have been tight and often low-scoring, with several one-goal margins and notable away wins. Anfield has not always been a safe haven for Liverpool in this fixture, and Forest have shown they can frustrate and punish the hosts on the counter.

  • 22 February 2026: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
  • 22 November 2025: Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
  • 14 January 2025: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
  • 14 September 2024: Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
  • 2 March 2024: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Prediction

Stats suggest a nuanced picture. The prediction model edges towards Liverpool as the likely winner, but with relatively balanced probabilities: 35% chance of a home win, 35% for a draw and 30% for an away win. That reflects Liverpool’s superior attacking output so far (2 goals in 1 match versus Forest’s 0) but also respects Forest’s defensive resilience and recent good record at Anfield.

Liverpool’s comparison indices in recent matches are stronger in attack and form, while Forest’s defensive index is competitive. With Liverpool yet to keep a clean sheet and Forest yet to score, the tactical expectation is that the home side will dominate territory and possession, while Forest sit compact in a 3-4-2-1 shape, looking to break through runners like M. Gibbs-White or C. Hudson-Odoi.

Because the goals prediction values include a threshold marker for Liverpool (“-2.5”) and no clear numeric scoreline, a conservative call is appropriate. Given Liverpool’s home advantage, early scoring record, and Forest’s struggles in front of goal, a narrow home win looks the likeliest outcome, but Forest’s history of nicking results here suggests the margin will be tight.

Predicted Score: Liverpool 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Liverpool Recent Form

Liverpool’s recent Premier League form this season is a single draw, reflecting a mixed opening in which they both scored and conceded twice away from home. Their last-five sample in domestic play shows 2 goals scored and 2 conceded, underlining a side that can create but still needs defensive tightening.

Nottingham Forest Recent Form

Nottingham Forest come into this match on the back of a defeat, with one loss from one game and no goals scored. Their recent league profile shows 0 goals for and 1 against, plus one failure to score. Defensively they have been relatively solid, but the lack of attacking output is a concern ahead of a trip to Anfield.

Liverpool Possible Starting Lineup

Based on available squad data and typical usage, Liverpool could line up with key figures such as: Alisson Becker (GK); V. van Dijk, J. Gomez, M. Kerkez, K. Tsimikas or J. Frimpong (Defenders); W. Endo, A. Mac Allister, R. Gravenberch, D. Szoboszlai, F. Wirtz, C. Jones (Midfielders); A. Isak, F. Chiesa, C. Gakpo, H. Ekitike, plus depth options like L. Koumas and Vítor Muñoz (Attackers).

Liverpool’s 4-2-3-1 has been the preferred shape in their early 2026 Premier League action, offering a double pivot for control and an attacking trio behind a central striker. With no injury data restricting selection, the manager has flexibility to rotate wide forwards and attacking midfielders. The presence of multiple creative midfielders (Gravenberch, Wirtz, Szoboszlai) should help unlock a packed Forest defence, while van Dijk’s leadership at the back will be vital against counter-attacks.

Nottingham Forest Possible Starting Lineup

Forest’s squad suggests a likely continuation of a back-three system: M. Sels or S. Benda (GK); Jair, Morato, N. Milenković or Murillo (Defenders); wing-backs and midfielders including O. Aina, N. Williams, N. Domínguez, X. Schlager, I. Sangaré, R. Yates (Midfielders); with M. Gibbs-White and C. Hudson-Odoi supporting a central striker such as T. Awoniyi, C. Wood, Igor Jesus or A. Kalimuendo (Attackers).

The 3-4-2-1 used so far in 2026 offers Forest defensive numbers and the ability to spring forward through Gibbs-White and Hudson-Odoi. Jair’s presence in the back line, alongside experienced defenders like Morato or Milenković, is designed to cope with aerial and physical threats. However, with the team having failed to score in their opening match, there is pressure on the attacking unit to convert limited chances at Anfield.

Liverpool Team News

No significant absences reported.

Nottingham Forest Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Liverpool:

  • None reported.

Nottingham Forest:

  • None reported.

Betting Tips: Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:

  • Result Tip: Back Liverpool to win. Prediction probabilities give Liverpool a 35% chance of victory, level with the draw and slightly ahead of Forest’s 30%. The market is far more bullish: home odds range from 1.42 to 1.54, implying roughly 64.9% to 70.4% chance. Given Liverpool’s stronger attacking numbers and Anfield advantage, a home win at around 1.44–1.51 (Betfair, BetVictor, Marathonbet, Pinnacle) aligns with both stats and market sentiment.
  • Goals Tip: Liverpool to score at least 2 goals. They average 2.0 goals per game so far, while Forest concede 1.0 and have to cope with a significantly higher calibre of attack here. The under/over data shows Liverpool matches have already gone over 1.5 goals once in one attempt. While specific over/under odds are not listed, combining a home win with over 1.5 or 2.5 goals in bet builders could enhance value, anchored by the strong home-win prices (1.42–1.54) as the base leg.
  • Value Tip: Consider a Liverpool win with Nottingham Forest scoring (both teams to score – yes in a home win scenario). Forest have a history of troubling Liverpool at Anfield, scoring in several recent visits, and Liverpool’s defence has yet to record a clean sheet this season. With Forest’s match-winner odds between 5.51 and 6.55 and the draw between 4.12 and 4.74, the market heavily discounts away success but acknowledges their threat. A bet builder combining Liverpool to win (around 1.44–1.51) with both teams to score could offer attractive value compared to the straight home price.

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

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