Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest 29 August 2026 Prediction

Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner have both made difficult starts in their new roles. Liverpool continue to struggle defensively, while Nottingham Forest have offered little in attack. Their meeting at Anfield gives both teams an opportunity to respond to their early setbacks.

Liverpool: An Unstable Foundation

Liverpool produced mixed results at the end of preseason. The first team beat Como 2-0, while the reserves played out a scoreless draw against the same opponent that day. Defeats to Leeds (4-2) and Monaco (3-2) then exposed Liverpool’s lack of depth and concentration. Iraola’s side gave up two-goal leads in both friendlies after making several second-half substitutions. The same problems appeared in their Premier League opener, when Liverpool needed a 99th-minute penalty to salvage a 2-2 draw against Newcastle. Their attacking output was strong at 2.98 expected goals, but both goals conceded came from quick counterattacks, an area in which Liverpool remain vulnerable.

The defensive instability is largely the result of major personnel changes. Liverpool allowed Ibrahima Konate to join Real Madrid and Andrew Robertson to move to Tottenham on free transfers, breaking up established partnerships. Curtis Jones’ recent transfer to Inter has also reduced Iraola’s options. The midfielder regularly provided cover in several positions, including defense. Liverpool are now integrating 21-year-old Jeremy Jacquet, signed from Rennes for €63.6 million, along with Ronald Araujo, who arrived on an emergency loan from Barcelona. Despite the defensive concerns, Liverpool have continued to invest heavily in attack, agreeing to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for €140 million. It is one of the most expensive transfers in soccer history and further highlights the imbalance in Liverpool’s squad planning.

Nottingham Forest: Attacking Problems

Oliver Glasner’s first matches in charge of Nottingham Forest have shown that the team’s long-standing creative problems remain unresolved. Forest ended preseason with consecutive 1-0 defeats to Udinese and Barcelona before improving with wins over Bayer Leverkusen (2-1) and Brest (2-0). Those results did not carry over into competitive action. Nottingham Forest lost their Premier League opener 1-0 to Leeds in a balanced game, with the teams producing 0.66 and 0.47 xG, respectively. Forest then faced Leeds again in the EFL Cup. Despite both teams rotating their lineups, Glasner’s side lost 2-0 and were outperformed 2.25 to 0.86 on expected goals.

Following those attacking struggles, Nottingham Forest signed Liam Delap from Chelsea for €53 million. The forward scored only once in 28 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, but he remains effective in physical duels, aerial challenges, and hold-up play. Those qualities are important in Glasner’s counterattacking system. It is unclear whether Delap will start immediately at Anfield. Morgan Gibbs-White is also doubtful after suffering a knee ligament injury in the Premier League opener and missing the cup match. Without their main playmaker, Forest could find it even harder to create scoring chances.

Predicted Lineup for Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Muñoz, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak

Unavailable: Bradley, Ekitike, Gomez, Leoni, Chiesa (all injured); Elliott (manager’s decision)

Manager: Andoni Iraola

Nottingham Forest (3-4-2-1): Sels; Murillo, Cunha, Milenkovic; Aina, Schlager, Sangare, Williams; Hutchinson, Ndoye; Jesus

Unavailable: Savona, Yates (both injured); Gibbs-White (doubtful)

Manager: Oliver Glasner

Referee: Samuel Barrott

Based on last season’s statistics, Barrott is close to the league average in most categories. He called only 19.33 fouls per game, one of the lowest figures in the Premier League, and showed an average of 3.63 yellow cards. He issued one red card and awarded seven penalties across 24 matches.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Prediction: Liverpool Handicap -1.5

Main prediction: Nottingham Forest’s attack has created very little in recent games. Glasner’s team failed to reach 1.0 xG in either meeting with Leeds, recording 0.66 and 0.86 expected goals. If Gibbs-White is ruled out, the visitors will have few reliable creative options, which should reduce the pressure on Liverpool’s unsettled defense. Liverpool should still generate plenty of chances. They produced almost 3.0 xG away to Newcastle and are likely to apply even more pressure at Anfield. A Liverpool win at 1.54 is the safer option, but the stronger value is Liverpool -1.5 handicap at 2.34.

Goals prediction: Liverpool’s approach has remained open and attack-focused despite the managerial change. Their recent games include a 2-2 draw against Newcastle, a 3-2 loss to Monaco, a 4-2 defeat to Leeds, and a 4-2 win over Sunderland. That style also leaves them exposed on the counterattack. Liverpool’s new-look defense lacks cohesion and pace, so Nottingham Forest could still create enough to score. The additional selection is over 2.5 goals at 1.66.