Salah to return, eight changes – Liverpool predicted XI v Nottingham Forest
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is expected to make eight changes to his starting line-up for the trip to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
The Reds come into the City Ground clash on 14 January looking to maintain a six-point lead at the summit of the Premier League after the 4-0 FA Cup win against Accrington Stanley.
The likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Alexis Mac Allister are predicted to return after missing the victory over the League Two side.
Joe Gomez is still out with the hamstring injury he suffered in the 5-0 win over West Ham on 29 December, so will miss the contest.
Liverpool to make eight changes v Nottingham Forest
Alisson is expected to replace Caoimhin Kelleher between the sticks after missing the FA Cup victory.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is predicted to start at right-back, he scored a stunning long-range strike, recorded an 81 per cent pass accuracy, created two chances, had 20 passes into the final third and won all three ground duels for a 100 per success rate against the minnows [Fotmob].
Konate is set to return despite Jarell Quansah’s display against Stanley, the 21-year-old completed the most passes in the contest with 118 for a success rate of 98 per cent while making five recoveries and winning five of his six ground duels.
Wataru Endo is expected to lose his place to Van Dijk but the Japan international impressed against League Two opposition, completing 95 per cent of his passes, making seven recoveries and winning two of the three aerial duels that he contested for a 67 per cent success rate.
Andy Robertson might return in place of Kostas Tsimikas although the Greek international created the most chances in the match with four, made eight passes into the final third and made the most tackles.
Ryan Gravenberch is predicted to return at the base of midfield to replace Tyler Morton who recorded an 82 per cent pass accuracy, created one chance, and won both tackles that he attempted and both ground duels that he contested.
Harvey Elliott is expected to return to the bench with Mac Allister replacing him, the 21-year-old recorded a 90 per cent pass accuracy, created two chances, had six touches in the opposition box and made seven passes into the final third against John Doolan’s side.
Dominik Szoboszlai may keep his place after his return from illness that had kept him out of the draw with Manchester United and the loss to Tottenham. He completed 95 per cent of his passes, created two chances, made five passes into the final third and won 100 per cent of his four overall duels.
Two big returns in attack
Salah is expected to return after being rested on Saturday, the Egyptian has contributed to 21 goals and 17 assists in 28 matches in all competitions so far this campaign.
Rio Ngumoha is predicted to miss out with Cody Gakpo returning on the left flank, the 16-year-old impressed against Accrington, completing the most dribbles in the contest with three, recording an 89 per cent pass accuracy, and having five touches in the opposition box in a 72-minute appearance.
Diogo Jota might get the nod up front with Darwin Nunez suspended for the contest, the Portugal international scored the opener, recorded a 92 per cent pass accuracy and created two chances.
Slot will be hoping that the several first-teamers who started against Stanley can take that momentum into what will be a tough fixture in the league.
Forest have won their last six league matches and will represent the Reds’ toughest test in a long time, it is one that they must overcome if they have genuine ambitions to win the title.
In other Liverpool news, Reds supporters think they have the next Kylian Mbappe in their ranks after the win over Accrington.
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