MatchThe opposition lowdown: Nottingham Forest

Key men

Brennan Johnson has been the visitors' key man this term in front of goal, having scored on eight occasions for his side.

Former Reds forward Taiwo Awoniyi is next on the list, after netting four times under Steve Cooper this term.

Johnson also has two assists, though midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White has been the biggest provider for Forest with five so far.

Style of play

Sarah Clapson, Nottingham Forest correspondent, Nottingham Post

"There's no doubt injuries have had and are continuing to have a massive impact. Forest have been without a number of key players for long spells. In particular, they are really missing Ryan Yates in midfield. He's the one who adds a bit of bite and drive, and he can make things happen.

"Having Taiwo Awoniyi back from injury is a boost. Forest have missed not having him as a focal point, and he's previously linked up well with Brennan Johnson and Morgan Gibbs-White. Steve Cooper has openly admitted that he tries to find ways of getting the latter two on the ball as much as possible in games. They are Forest's greatest threat.

"Trying to predict what formation Cooper will go with on Saturday is tricky. In the last couple of games he has changed to three at the back. It worked to a point, and certainly suits Neco Williams better, with him being able to operate as a wing-back.

"But Cooper also went with a two-man midfield against Manchester United last time out and Forest were overrun, so it's likely he'll want to put an extra body in there this weekend. I suspect he might well revert to a four-man defence to accommodate that, going with a 4-3-1-2. It's one Forest have used before."

Previous meetings

Liverpool were beaten 1-0 in the reverse fixture at the City Ground in October, as Awoniyi struck the only goal of the contest in the 55th minute.

It will be Forest's first visit to Anfield since 1998 in the league following their promotion back to the top flight last season, a day when Michael Owen struck four times for Liverpool in a 5-1 victory.

Stats

Liverpool and Forest account for eight of the 14 European Cups won by English teams, with Forest lifting theirs in 1979 and 1980.

Neco Williams played 33 times for the Reds from 2019 to 2022, before joining Forest last summer on a permanent transfer.

Liverpool are unbeaten in the last 26 meetings between the sides at Anfield in all competitions – a run dating back to 1969.

What they said

Cooper told his pre-match press conference: "Playing Liverpool at Anfield is different and we know everything that comes with that, but the moment we stop believing we can win games that's when it becomes really difficult. It's a big challenge, but a great challenge as well and one we're really tackling."