Liverpool Starting XI Confirmed vs Nottingham Forest | OneFootball

Liverpool Confirmed XI For Nottingham Forest Clash As Slot Adapts To Pressure

Liverpool step back into Premier League duty this weekend and the champions arrive with a sense of urgency. The defeat to Manchester City before the international break lingers in the background, and with the title race balanced on fine margins, every fixture now carries weight. Nottingham Forest visit Anfield searching for vital points of their own, and the expectation is that Liverpool must sharpen their rhythm from the opening whistle.

Selection Challenges Shape Liverpool Approach

Arne Slot has spent the week facing a long list of selection problems. Some players are returning from rehabilitation, others have dropped out at a moment when Liverpool can least afford disruption, and the schedule is tightening again. That combination has forced fresh tactical conversations at the AXA Training Centre.

The biggest concern surrounds the right side of defence. Conor Bradley suffered a muscle injury on international duty, ruling him out for at least three weeks and leaving a vacancy that needed immediate attention. Florian Wirtz is also unavailable in midfield, creating another layer of reshuffling.

Even with Alisson returning to training, the call in goal demanded careful judgement given his seven game absence. These are the type of issues that test a manager’s clarity, and Slot addressed them honestly in his pre match briefing.

Slot Explains His Thinking

Slot confirmed that the uncertainty over the right back position required improvisation. Assessing how to redeploy players became essential, and he highlighted the adaptability of several squad members.

He said, “He [Szoboszlai] is doing so well in every position.”

“He’s played really well as a full-back and played really well as a midfielder.”

Photo: IMAGO

Curtis Jones was namechecked as another possibility. “Curtis Jones played there last season.”

He also expanded on the availability of Joe Gomez. “Joe Gomez can play there but Joe Gomez has played, I think if I’m correct, two times 90 minutes throughout the whole 2025 year… he missed out on a training session yesterday by the way as well but we are expecting him to train today.”

Slot summarised the situation with a clear acceptance of reality. “Challenging but the good thing is we have still enough good players available and maybe one of them or two of them have to play in positions they usually don’t do.”

“That’s what we have to accept.”

Confirmed XI Reveals Liverpool Adaptations

Florian Wirtz misses out, so Cody Gakpo moves to the left in a forward line that requires fluency. Alisson returns to the starting side and reassumes command of the penalty area, a welcome moment after his extended spell out.

Liverpool’s Confirmed XI vs Nottingham Forest:Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Salah, Gakpo, Isak.

Patchwork or not, there remains authority in this lineup. Leaders are in place, creativity is spread across the pitch, and match winners stand ready. Nottingham Forest will sense opportunity, but Liverpool recognise that this period could define the momentum of their title defence. With pressure mounting and solutions forged through adaptability, the champions approach the weekend determined to reassert control.