Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool simulated to predict tough Premier League clash
Liverpool face one of their toughest tests of the season later today when they travel to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Forest have been the biggest surprise package in the Premier League this season, with Nuno Espirito Santo's side joint-second and six points off Liverpool. They also remain the only team to beat Liverpool in the Premier League, so Arne Slot will be looking for revenge at the City Ground later today.
The Reds enter the clash in high spirits following the 6-0 win over Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup on the weekend, where the majority of starters were given a much-needed rest following the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup. Joe Gomez is Liverpool's only injured player, while Darwin Nunez is also absent after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the Reds' last league outing.
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So, how could Liverpool get on against Nottingham Forest later today? Let's take a look...
Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool score predicted
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that the visitors could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.
We predict that Liverpool could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz.
Liverpool failed to get going in the opening stages at the City Ground, with the hosts seeing more of the ball as they looked for a breakthrough. A few chances fell the way of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah with Slot's side predominantly trying to hit Forest on the break, but just before half-time, the Reds found themselves a goal down.
A switch of play caught Trent Alexander-Arnold out of position on the right, allowing Callum Hudson-Odoi to pick up possession and surge at goal. The winger's cross into the box was overhit towards the back post, but Andrew Robertson switched off, allowing Anthony Elanga to meet the ball and head into the net.
After the restart, Liverpool were in full control, with Slot's side starting to become a much bigger threat as the game went on. Matz Sels was on top form to deny Salah, Gakpo, and substitute Diogo Jota in the second half, but there was nothing he could do as Liverpool drew level in the 81st minute.
As Forest sat deep, Alexander-Arnold opted to try his luck from distance, forcing the 'keeper into making a great save to tip the ball wide for a corner. An out-swinging corner from Alexander-Arnold was met by Virgil van Dijk in the box, with the defender powering a header into the far corner to make it 1-1.
Liverpool were gifted the chance to win the game in the 89th minute when Diaz capitalised on a misplaced Forest pass in defence to go one-on-one with the 'keeper, but the Colombian lacked composure as he fired at the body of Sels. Neither side could find an equaliser in added time, and the points were shared.
