Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool Preview: European Ambitions Meet Relegation Fight

Nottingham Forest are looking to build momentum from their victory in Istanbul in midweek as they host Liverpool on Sunday, aiming to remain above the relegation zone with twelve games left to play. In contrast, Arne Slot’s Liverpool know that victory at the City Ground could move them level on points with Manchester United in fourth, should the United fall to Everton in Monday’s final fixture of the matchweek.

Let’s not forget the history between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool an unforgettable rivalry from the 1970s and 1980s. Liverpool dominated the domestic and European scene, winning ten league titles and four European Cups, defeating the likes of Borussia Mönchengladbach and Real Madrid under the famous “Boot Room” era led by Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan. Yet Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest disrupted that dominance, lifting back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980 and cementing Clough’s legacy as one of English football’s great pioneers.

While that historic rivalry has softened over time, Sunday afternoon promises another compelling chapter. Both clubs desperately need three points Liverpool to strengthen their push for Champions League football, and Forest to secure their Premier League survival.

Nottingham Forest have found renewed energy under manager Vítor Pereira. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss inspired an emphatic 3–0 victory over Fenerbahçe in Istanbul, placing one foot in the Europa League knockout stages ahead of the return leg in Nottingham.

However, European success must not mask Forest’s domestic struggles. Sean Dyche became the third manager relieved of his duties this season following a poor run that included defeat to Leeds United and a draw at Wolves. Those results have left Forest just three points above the relegation zone with twelve games remaining.

Pereira has stressed the importance of approaching Liverpool with organisation, intensity and freedom in attack if they are to claim three vital points on home soil.

Forest are likely to start former Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, with both Danilo Johnstone and Matz Sels sidelined through groin and knee injuries respectively. Willy Boly remains out for the remainder of the campaign with a serious knee injury, while Nicolò Savona is also unavailable after sustaining a knee issue earlier this month.

Liverpool arrive at the City Ground with Champions League qualification firmly in mind. They sit two points behind fifth-placed Chelsea, who host Burnley this weekend, and know that victory could significantly strengthen their European hopes.

Following an emphatic FA Cup performance against Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool will be keen to avenge their home defeat to Forest in November and secure a third Premier League win in six matches.

Speaking to the BBC ahead of the trip, Arne Slot emphasised the positive progress his side have made. In their last 19 matches,

Liverpool have “lost twice twice in extra time and on both occasions we did not deserve to lose,” according to the Dutchman.

However, Liverpool’s away record tells a more complex story. Despite handing Sunderland their first home defeat of the season, the Reds have won just three of their last eleven Premier League away games. At the City Ground specifically, Liverpool have won only once in their last fifteen visits Darwin Núñez’s dramatic 99th-minute winner in March 2024 the sole success in that period.

If Liverpool are to return to the Champions League next season, breaking their recent struggles away from home particularly at the City Ground will be essential.