Andoni Iraola faces his first official home test as Liverpool head coach on Saturday, with Nottingham Forest arriving at Anfield for what promises to be an intriguing Premier League showdown.
The Basque boss was left demanding a far sharper performance following a erratic 2-2 opening-weekend draw against Newcastle United at St James' Park. With defensive balance under immediate scrutiny, Iraola will be desperate to make a clear statement in his competitive Anfield bow.
Selection options remain stretched across the squad. The Reds are still missing long-term casualties Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Conor Bradley (knee), and Giovanni Leoni (knee). defender Joe Gomez is closing in on a return from a muscle injury, though Saturday's clash is expected to arrive too soon for the 29-year-old.
Following Curtis Jones’ £30m move to Inter Milan, Alexis Mac Allister is pushing for a starting role after featuring from the bench in the North East, as Iraola considers changes to fix Liverpool's midfield structure after receiving criticism on their so called 'weakness'
Although there is plenty of new talent still to be added to this squad before the window shuts next week.
Forest suffered a late 1-0 defeat to Leeds United in their opening game, but Oliver Glasner has put together some fine match plans against Liverpool in the past, so they are not to be taken lightly.
Ahead of the game, we have rounded up the latest injury news surrounding both sides.
Nottingham Forest injury news (away team)
Nicolo Savona - Out
Savona has a knee injury that is going to keep him out until October. Glasner said last week: "We thought he would be further than where he is now. He had a minor setback after his knee reacted more with the load than we wanted. We had to take a step back, so he’s working in the gym again and working on his knee to get back on the grass. I think it will take a couple of weeks."
Ryan Yates - Out
Yates is expected to be out for another week.
Morgan Gibbs-White - Doubt
Glasner is hoping to get Gibbs-White back for this game. He said last week: "He got the ball and twisted his ankle, so the MCL was a little bit overstretched and he has some pain in his knee. There is no structural damage, but there’s no point in risking him tomorrow. We’re working really hard to get him fit for the Liverpool game on Saturday."
Neco Williams - Doubt
Williams has a knock and should be back to face his old club, but he is a doubt for now.
Liverpool injury news (home team)
Conor Bradley - Out
Possible return date: January 2 (vs. Coventry City)
Bradley remains out long-term with his serious knee injury. He is not expected back until the new year.
Hugo Ekitike - Out
Possible return date: Unknown
Ekitike has an Achilles injury that required a surgery, and he is going to be out until some time in October.
Iraola has said: "The surgery went well, but in such a long rehab process, there are so many steps that need to be made. Experts will tell you this will take multiple months, and then it depends on the steps. We don't know yet, but the first and most important step is that the surgery went well."
Federico Chiesa - Out
Possible return date: Unknown
Iraola confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Chiesa remain unavailable with a back issue. He said: "Fede is not available. In the [pre-season] game against Como, he felt something at the back - it’s a small muscle injury. He is not available."
Joe Gomez - Out
Possible return date: September 4 (vs. Ipswich Town)
Gomez remains out and will not return untiol early September at the earliest.
Giovanni Leoni - Out
Possible return date: Unknown
Leoni is another who is returning from a long-term issue having ruptured his ACL in September of last year. He will be hoping to return before the end of the year.
Liverpool suspension list
Liverpool have no players suspended for this weekend's clash against Nottingham Forest.
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Sels; Cunha, Milenkovic, Murillo; Aina, McAtee, Sangare, Netz; Gibbs-White, Ndoye; Jesus
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