Liverpool-Nottingham Forest Preview

Jurgen Klopp says his side must keep an open mind to tactical shifts as he continues to exploit multiple formations ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.

The Reds make the trip to the City Ground after notching back-to-back wins over Manchester City and West Ham, to reignite what had been a stuttering season so far for the Merseyside outfit.

A fluid 4-4-2 was used against the Hammers in midweek, a change from the German's traditional 4-3-3 approach, as he seeks to combat serious defensive issues that have plagued his fatigued squad this term.

Now, Klopp has illuminated his thinking, stating that he hopes for stability within his team and asking them to bend with his changes as they look to push on towards the top four once again.

"We played for quite a time a specific system and a specific way," he stated. "When you get used to things you lose a little bit the desire for the detail. Because it was so well tuned how we defended or how we pressed or how we did different things, little things can change a lot. That's why we had to change a big thing and to start thinking new about it as a group.

"We have to stay open for all different possibilities and we will make decisions about that. It's about what is best for us and what is worse for the opponent, that's pretty much how we tried to set up and that's what we always did and will do."

Opposite number Steve Cooper, meanwhile, takes his side in search of a first league win in nine games following a draw with Brighton, and says he sees no reason why they cannot produce an upset.

"We have to be almost perfect in all parts of our game to play well," he acknowledged. "But why not? "We'll be going into the game with confidence. We know results are nowhere near where we want them or where they should be, but the spirit is strong and the togetherness is strong."

Nottingham Forest – Jesse Lingard

So far, it doesn't look like the former Manchester United man has made the right call in heading to the City Ground over a potential return to London Stadium with West Ham. But his talent goes without saying – can he be integral to lifting them off the canvas?

Liverpool – Mohamed Salah

The Egypt international has been involved in 29 goals in his last 30 Premier League appearances against promoted sides (18 goals, 11 assists). He's scored against 26 of the 27 opponents he's faced in the Premier League with the Reds, failing only against Swansea City.

- This is the first league meeting between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool since a 2-2 draw in April 1999, though Liverpool won an FA Cup tie between the two at the City Ground last season.

- Liverpool have never won in five Premier League away games against Nottingham Forest (D3 L2) – the City Ground is the only ground the Reds have played at more than once in the competition and never won.

- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 16 away Premier League games against promoted sides, since a 2-0 loss at Hull in February 2017 (W11 D5). The last team to have a longer such run were Tottenham between 2012 and 2020 (23 games).

- Nottingham Forest are winless in their last four Premier League home games (D1 L3), netting the first goal in each of their last three. Only two teams have opened the scoring but failed to win more consecutive home games in the competition – Chelsea (4 between February and April 1996) and Norwich City (5 in December/January 2019-20).

- Liverpool have failed to win any of their four Premier League away games so far this season (D2 L2) – they last had a longer run without an away win from the start of a campaign in 2006-07 (7).

Updated October 21, 2022