Nottingham Forest will host Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday. In their fifth-round match, the Tricky Trees were eliminated from the cup after losing 1-0 to Manchester United. The young Reds celebrated another knockout victory after defeating Southampton 3-0.
Preview (Nottingham Forest vs. Liverpool)
Nottingham Forest had ridden their luck to even make it to the FA Cup last 16, where Man United would present their toughest test to yet. They needed extra time to overcome Blackpool in a third-round replay before destroying Bristol City in their fourth-round rematch. Contrary to Matt Turner, Cassiemiro’s skillful header from a Bruno Fernandes free kick punched the Red Devils’ chances of going to the quarterfinals. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team tested Andre Onana on multiple occasions at the City Ground on Wednesday.
The Tricky Trees can now only concentrate on the Premier League relegation battle, since their hopes of making it to Wembley were dashed in a 4-2 loss to Aston Villa on February 27. At least now, their hopes of playing at Wembley have burned out. Santo’s team has dropped to 17th place in the standings. They are just four points ahead of Luton Town despite having played one more game than the Hatters. Only one of their previous six Premier League games has resulted in a win. This is due to Everton’s point deduction being lowered from ten to six.
But after breaking through the Villa Park net twice, Forest has scored more than once in each of its previous three Premier League games. They have also scored in all of their games in the top tier under Santo. This despite only keeping one clean sheet during that period. The youngsters will be more than fine under Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool. Their academy graduates shone in the last moments of their EFL Cup victory over Chelsea.
Team News
All three players Ibrahim Sangare (knee), Ola Aina (unspecified), and Willy Boly (unspecified) missed the match against Man United due to injuries they sustained at the Africa Cup of Nations. Santo has not provided an estimated period of recovery for them. Due to a thigh injury he suffered against West Ham United in February, Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares, who is on loan, has also missed many weeks of action. Chris Wood is unlikely to return before the end of March. Former Liverpool player Taiwo Awoniyi, scored the game’s lone goal in this very match last season. He will lead the attack in Wood’s absence, but Divock Origi, the team’s beloved cult hero.
When asked if he thought there was any chance that Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah, and Dominik Szoboszlai would return for the devastated Reds this weekend at the City Ground, Klopp responded with a succinct three-word response, “I don’t know.” Both Wataru Endo (knock) and Ryan Gravenberch (ankle), were taken off the Wembley pitch. Meanwhile, Andrew Robertson may be able to make a comeback on Saturday after getting sick before Southampton’s victory.
The following players are certain to be unavailable: Ibrahima Konate, Luis Diaz, and Alexis Mac Allister; Joel Matip (knee), Ben Doak (knee), Curtis Jones (shin), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Thiago Alcantara (muscle), Diogo Jota (knee), and Alisson Becker (thigh).
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Liverpool
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