Liverpool FC have had time to train and observe as they watched the first legs of the Champions League playoffs this week, having achieved automatic qualification through the group stage.
The Reds will play this weekend in Premier League action, heading to the City Ground to play Nottingham Forest. Arne Slot’s team will be hoping for a much better result than the 3-0 defeat they suffered at Anfield.
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This time, Forest will be coached by former Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira, who took over from Sean Dyche, the worm-eater who inflicted that result on the Reds the last time they played. Pereira is the fourth man in the Forest hotseat this season.
Forest are facing two key absences:
Centre-back Murillo has missed the last two games, but is in the squad to face Fenerbache in the Europa League playoffs in Istanbul.
Goalkeeper Matz Sels has a groin injury and is most likely to miss the Liverpool game, having been removed from the matchday squads against Fenerbache.
Liverpool are still without long-term absences like Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni, and Conor Bradley. Wataru Endo appears to have joined the list after twisting his ankle against Sunderland. There is hope he could return late in the season.
Jeremie Frimpong appears to be nearing a return after being forced off in the early minutes against Qarabag, but the Forest game will be too soon for him.