Klopp makes three changes and recalls ‘fantastic’ defender: Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest

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Liverpool have a good opportunity to claim another Premier League win as they take on Nottingham Forest tomorrow.

Forest beat the Reds back in October but have won just once away from home all season. Seen through that lens, a first trip to Anfield since 1998 looks like a difficult hurdle for Steve Cooper’s side to clear.

But this is Liverpool 2022/23, you simply don’t know what you’re going to get. With a trip to West Ham United set to come on Wednesday, Jurgen Klopp may need to find a balance between fresh legs and keeping momentum from the thrashing of Leeds. Here’s what we think he’ll do.

Defence

Whatever question marks there are over this line-up, the goalkeeper clearly isn’t one of them. Alisson Becker will be between the sticks come what may on Saturday.

The talk of the town this week has been Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s change of position. Against a Forest side expected to sit deep, we expect his new midfield/full-back hybrid role to continue at Anfield.

Next to him we think Klopp might make a little change. Ibrahima Konate has played the last full eight games for the Reds and this feels like a decent opportunity to give him a rest. The ‘fantastic’ Joel Matip should deputise. No change on the left, as Virgil van Dijk continues.

We get the feeling Klopp might also save Andy Robertson for West Ham, with Kostas Tsimikas coming in.

Midfield

Having made his comeback the previous week, it was a surprise not to see Thiago Alcantara back in the line-up at Leeds. He’ll surely return for this one.

Next to him, Klopp still has no alternative to Fabinho, who will likely start again, while Curtis Jones deserves to continue his mini-renaissance. He’ll have a job covering Trent’s forays forward, but we think he can do it.

Attack

With changes made in defence and midfield, we think Klopp will opt to keep things constant up-front. Luis Diaz doesn’t look ready for a start just yet while Roberto Firmino has been ruled out through injury.

Darwin Nunez has made a good case to start, scoring and doing well off the bench on Monday. But given the displays of Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo at Elland Road, we don’t see too much reason to change things.

Nunez off the bench to attack tired minds and legs at Anfield sounds like a good idea anyway.

Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Jones, Thiago; Salah, Gakpo, Jota