Why Nottingham Forest at Anfield is never straightforward for Liverpool

A new era at Anfield deserves a grand opening act, but Saturday afternoon brings an altogether more prickly assignment as Nottingham Forest roll onto Merseyside.

The Reds are hunting for lift-off after a frustrating opening-weekend 2-2 draw at St James Park, desperate to inject some much-needed momentum into the campaign.

Yet, preparation for Oliver Glasner’s side remains an exercise in educated guesswork. True, the Premier League knows Glasner well from his Crystal Palace days, but the Austrian is good tactian.

As Glasner candidly admitted in his pre-match press conference, his tactical system won't truly settle until the transfer window slams shut and the dust clears. Uncertainty reigns.

One absolute certainty remains, however. Regardless of whether Forest line up in a back three, a back four, or pull a tactical surprise out of a hat, the playbook away from home under Glasner always relies on the lightning-fast counter-attack.

For this new-look Liverpool side, the battle won't just be tactical; it will be a test of raw, unyielding mental preparedness.

Forest unfazed by Anfield

In their last two league encounters at Anfield, Nottingham Forest emerged victorious on both occasions.

Their win in September 2024 certainly raised eyebrows, as the newly appointed Arne Slot tasted defeat for the first time.

Liverpool had won their previous three games by an aggregate score of 7-0, including a famous win at Old Trafford against Manchester United, but Forest defied the odds.

Head coach Nuno Espírito Santo oversaw a dogged performance from his Forest side, whose patience was rewarded by a Callum Hudson-Odoi goal to round off a 1-0 victory.

Over a year later, in November 2025, the Reds from Nottingham ran riot in a 3-0 victory at Anfield, capping off a miserable run of six defeats in seven games for Liverpool.

It ultimately compounded yet another feeble title defence, as the chasing pack in Arsenal and Manchester City left former champions Liverpool in the rearview mirror.

Tricky Trees love an upset

In October 2022, Nottingham Forest produced a stunning 1-0 win against Liverpool at the City Ground, only their second of the season.

The Merseyside outfit were without an away win all season, and former Red Taiwo Awoniyi dealt the devastating blow as Forest took all three points.

January 2025 saw Arne Slot’s title favourites unable to overcome Forest once again, as the late Diogo Jota’s goal in the second half cancelled out Chris Wood’s early opener in a 1-1 draw.

Their famous win at Anfield a few months earlier clearly left a scar, as Nuno’s side ended the season unbeaten against the eventual Premier League champions.

Late winners will inspire Liverpool

Fortunately for Liverpool fans, they too have enjoyed some incredible wins over Nottingham Forest in recent seasons.

A 99th minute winner from Darwin Nunez sent the travelling Kop into a frenzy in March 2024, as the Reds’ 1-0 victory meant it was their first at the City Ground since 1984.

Earlier this year in February, VAR found itself at the forefront of the action after Alexis Mac Allister’s late goal was disallowed for handball.

Not long after, in the 97th minute, the Argentine made no mistake in capitalising from Virgil van Dijk’s rebounded header, as he fired the ball in from close range.

After yet another lengthy VAR check, players and fans alike could contain their emotions no longer as the goal was awarded to complete yet another 1-0 win for the Reds in stoppage time.

Iraola and Glasner searching for first win

A late penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai spared Liverpool’s blushes in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle, while Forest, led by Oliver Glasner, fell to a 1-0 defeat against Leeds.

Having exited the Carabao Cup against the same opposition, Glasner will be feeling the pressure, but new record signing Liam Delap will be eager to score Forest’s first goal of their campaign.

Andoni Iraola, on the other hand, will be without Bradley Barcola, whose arrival on Merseyside is imminent after the Reds have agreed a £120 million fee with PSG for the winger’s services.

Both head coaches are still searching for their winning formula; however, this fixture’s recent history indicates that three points are available for the taking.

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