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Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest: Anfield Test Puts Defensive Weakness Against Forest’s Blunt Attack. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Liverpool showed strong attacking output with 2.98 expected goals and key shots from Isak and Gakpo, but defensive frailty remains with eight matches without a clean sheet. Forest's higher possession and shot volume despite recent defeats suggest they can score, making a Liverpool win with both teams scoring a plausible outcome.
Liverpool's strong attacking chance creation and Forest's recent scoring struggles support a 3-1 result, with Liverpool's defensive issues allowing Forest a goal.
Compare form, H2H, goals trends and key data for Liverpool v Nottingham Forest.
Liverpool’s first Premier League home match under Andoni Iraola brings together two sides whose opening results exposed very different problems.
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest — bet365 Market Snapshot
Swipe through key markets with illustrative probabilities and sample bet365 odds based on our match analysis.
Liverpool look stronger on recent form, while Nottingham Forest remain vulnerable after weaker results.
Liverpool and Nottingham Forest both carry scoring threat, but the result leg still demands a clear winner.
Liverpool carry the stronger defensive profile, while Nottingham Forest remain vulnerable in the likely scoreline.
Liverpool hold the stronger overall profile, leaving Nottingham Forest needing a sharper performance.
Three Punchy Stats
- Liverpool generated 2.98 xG in their 2-2 draw at Newcastle, evidence that the opening result understated the quantity and quality of chances they created.
- The Reds have conceded in eight consecutive competitive matches, leaving a clear route back into the game for a Forest side still searching for their first goal of the season.
- Forest have failed to score in four of their last six outings, making Liverpool’s defensive fragility and the visitors’ finishing problem the defining statistical tension at Anfield.
Scoring and Clean Sheet Streaks
Recent attacking records for Liverpool and Nottingham Forest are shown below.
Shot Volume Comparison
Recent defensive records for Liverpool and Nottingham Forest are shown below.
The Reds created enough to win at Newcastle but needed a stoppage-time Dominik Szoboszlai penalty to rescue a 2-2 draw. Nottingham Forest, by contrast, have started Oliver Glasner’s tenure with successive defeats to Leeds and no goals.
That makes Saturday’s game an awkward meeting of weaknesses. Liverpool have conceded in eight consecutive competitive matches and were vulnerable to counter-attacks at Newcastle, while Forest have failed to score in four of their last six outings. One side is struggling to shut opponents out; the other is struggling to punish them.
Liverpool Created Enough, But Control Was Missing
The 2-2 draw at Newcastle was not short of attacking promise. Liverpool produced 2.98 expected goals, Cody Gakpo scored and Alexander Isak managed four attempts, including two on target. For a side still searching for its first league win of the season, those are encouraging attacking indicators.
The concern sits behind them. Ryan Gravenberch and Szoboszlai were both implicated in Newcastle’s goals, and Liverpool have now gone eight competitive matches without a clean sheet. Even across six pre-season games they conceded seven times, so the problem is not confined to one poor afternoon.
That imbalance is central to the Forest game. Liverpool appear capable of creating enough chances to control the scoreboard, but their recent defensive record keeps opponents involved for longer than their attacking output should allow.
Iraola also remains without Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez, limiting his defensive options. Jeremie Frimpong, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez could form the back four, with Ronald Araujo another available option from the bench.
Forest’s Problem Is Turning Pressure Into Goals
Two defeats to Leeds in four days make for an uncomfortable start under Glasner: 1-0 in the Premier League followed by 2-0 in the EFL Cup. More damagingly, Forest failed to score in either match.
The league defeat was not entirely devoid of attacking promise. Forest had more possession and more shots than Leeds, which suggests the result was not simply the product of being pinned back and outplayed. The issue was converting that activity into something meaningful.
That distinction matters at Anfield because Liverpool have hardly been watertight. Forest do not need to dominate the match to expose the hosts’ defensive vulnerability; they need to be more efficient when opportunities arrive.
Morgan Gibbs-White’s fitness could therefore carry extra importance. He is a doubt with a knee strain, while Neco Williams is also uncertain and Ryan Yates and Nicolo Savona remain unavailable. Forest already have an attacking problem without potentially losing another influential option.
Isak Has the Volume, Now He Needs the Reward
Isak did not score at Newcastle, but four shots and two on target suggest he was hardly peripheral. Supported by Rio Ngumoha, Florian Wirtz and Gakpo in the possible starting XI, the £125m striker should again have opportunities if Liverpool reproduce anything close to their opening 2.98 xG.
The wider issue is chance creation around him. Ngumoha and Gakpo did not consistently supply enough against Newcastle despite Gakpo finding the net, leaving Liverpool with attacking quality but an incomplete performance.
Forest’s recent record against Liverpool adds a useful warning. They have lost only one of the last four meetings, winning twice and drawing once. Liverpool’s excellent record in opening home league fixtures — 12 wins in the last 13 seasons — therefore meets opposition who have recently proved unusually resistant to them.
Other opportunities in this market:
- Match Result (Liverpool win): Requires only a home win after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, trading a lower price for coverage of all winning home scorelines including clean sheets.
- Over 2.5 Goals: Settles as a win if the match produces three or more total goals in regulation time, covering outcomes such as 2-1, 1-2, 3-0, or 2-2 without requiring a specific winning team.
📊 Market Explainer
Win & Both Teams to Score
Selection: Liverpool to win and both teams to score. The selected team must win in normal time and both teams must score. If the selected team draws or loses, or either side fails to score, the bet loses.
Correct Score Market
Selection: Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest 3-1. Predict the exact score at the end of 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties do not count unless the bookmaker states otherwise.
🎯 Pick 1: Liverpool to win and both teams to score @ 2/1
Liverpool’s opening Premier League fixture against Newcastle demonstrated an active frontline paired with persistent defensive vulnerabilities. Generating 2.98 expected goals highlights how effectively Iraola’s side creates scoring opportunities, with Cody Gakpo finding the net and Alexander Isak taking four shots. However, that high offensive volume was counterbalanced by conceding twice in a 2-2 draw, extending Liverpool’s streak without a clean sheet to eight consecutive competitive matches.
While Nottingham Forest arrive following consecutive defeats without scoring against Leeds, their 1-0 Premier League loss featured higher possession and shot counts than their opponents. That indicates Oliver Glasner’s team can build attacking territory, making Liverpool’s defensive lapses particularly relevant. With Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai involved in the goals conceded at Newcastle, alongside defensive absences including Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, and Joe Gomez, Liverpool remain susceptible to conceding even against a side searching for their first goal.
The primary risk to this selection lies in Forest’s recent finishing struggles, having failed to score in four of their last six matches. Should Forest fail to convert their attempts, Liverpool could secure a clean-sheet victory. Nevertheless, Forest have lost only one of their last four meetings with Liverpool, winning twice. Combined with Liverpool’s record of 12 opening home league victories in their last 13 seasons, a home win with both teams scoring represents a well-supported analytical outcome.
🎯 Tactical Indicators
- Liverpool generated 2.98 expected goals in their opening 2-2 draw against Newcastle.
- The Reds have failed to keep a clean sheet in eight consecutive competitive fixtures.
- Nottingham Forest recorded higher possession and shot volume than Leeds despite losing 1-0.
Risk Factor: Liverpool may keep a clean sheet if Forest fail to convert chances, or Forest may avoid defeat at Anfield.
Key Tactical Mismatch
Accumulated 2.98 xG against Newcastle, supported by 4 shot attempts from Alexander Isak.
Zero goals scored in two matches under Glasner despite higher shot volume against Leeds.
🎯 Pick 2: Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest 3-1 @ 10/1
Justifying three goals for Liverpool relies on the underlying chance volume produced in their opening fixture at Newcastle, where Iraola’s team accumulated 2.98 expected goals. Cody Gakpo scored and Alexander Isak registered four attempts, including two on target. Supported by Florian Wirtz and Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool’s attacking setup generates consistent pressure against a Forest unit that conceded three times across two recent meetings with Leeds. Furthermore, Liverpool have historically dominated opening home league fixtures, winning 12 of the past 13 seasons, providing a clear basis for home goal volume.
The single goal for Nottingham Forest is grounded in Liverpool’s defensive record rather than Forest’s recent productivity. Liverpool have conceded in eight straight competitive matches and allowed seven goals across six pre-season games. Although Forest failed to score against Leeds in the Premier League and EFL Cup, they managed more possession and shots than Leeds in their league opener. With Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai implicated in Newcastle’s goals, Forest possess enough territory to breach Liverpool’s backline once.
An exact 3-1 scoreline remains inherently fragile because a single additional goal or a Forest clean-sheet failure defeats the selection. Forest failing to score entirely represents a clear alternative route given their four goalless outings in six matches. However, Liverpool’s high chance generation paired with an eight-match sequence without a clean sheet leaves 3-1 as a balanced scoreline that aligns directly with the underlying match facts.
Risk Factor: Liverpool's defensive fragility and Forest's finishing issues make the 3-1 scoreline fragile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Liverpool to win and both teams to score' mean?
Liverpool must win and Nottingham Forest must score at least one goal for this bet to win.
How does the Correct Score market settle for Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest?
The exact final scoreline must be predicted correctly at the end of regulation time.
Why are Liverpool expected to generate high goal volume at Anfield?
Liverpool created 2.98 expected goals in their opening match and have a strong home opening record.
What evidence suggests Nottingham Forest can score against Liverpool?
Liverpool have conceded in eight straight matches and Forest had more shots than Leeds.
What is the difference between Over 2.5 Goals and predicting a 3-1 scoreline?
Over 2.5 Goals wins on any 3+ goal match; 3-1 requires that exact scoreline.
Does Forest failing to score in two straight matches affect the BTTS market?
Forest's scoring struggles pose a risk, but Liverpool's conceding streak offers scoring chances.
