Liverpool FC XI vs Nottingham Forest: Predicted Lineup
Traveloasisspot.com – The Liverpool FC XI vs Nottingham Forest clash kicks off at 12:30pm BST on Saturday, August 29, marking the Reds’ first home fixture of the 2026–27 Premier League season. Andoni Iraola, installed as manager over the summer, will look to respond quickly after last weekend’s 2-2 home draw with Newcastle United — a result that yielded neither a win nor a clean sheet. Rotation is expected to be minimal, with only one or two changes anticipated from that starting sheet.
Iraola’s overriding concern entering the Forest visit is tightening the defensive transition that let Newcastle back into the game. Correcting those lapses before September’s congested run of fixtures becomes a priority, and the Anfield crowd will expect an immediate, visible improvement in structure and composure.
Projected Starting Eleven and Tactical Adjustments
Alisson anchors the goal, with a back four of Jeremie Frimpong, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez. Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch slot into the double pivot, tasked with shielding the defence while feeding the front three. The most consequential alteration from the Newcastle lineup lands on the left flank: Victor Munoz is poised to replace Rio Ngumoha, pairing with Cody Gakpo on the right and Alexander Isak leading the line. Florian Wirtz occupies the central creative role, giving Iraola a front three built around direct running, close-range threat, and width.
The full projected Liverpool FC XI vs Nottingham Forest selection reads: Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Munoz, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.
Injury List and Squad Availability
A handful of players remain sidelined. Hugo Ekitike, out since an Achilles tendon injury sustained in April, continues his rehabilitation and is not yet match-fit. Joe Gomez’s muscle issue has kept him on the sidelines since late last season. Centre-back Giovanni Leoni and right-back Conor Bradley are both still progressing through knee recoveries, while Ben Doak (recorded as Danns in squad documentation) also remains unavailable.
On the encouraging front, young centre-back Jeremy Jacquet is set to retain his starting berth after impressing in pre-season friendlies and the Newcastle opener. Loanee Ronald Araujo, who arrived from Benfica on a temporary deal, is expected to feature from the bench, offering Iraola a late-game defensive option without disrupting the established back-four pairing.
Nottingham Forest: Squad Questions and New Arrival
Oliver Glasner’s side arrive at Anfield carrying their own uncertainties. Full-back Neco Williams picked up a knock during Tuesday’s match against Leeds United and is listed as a doubt, while midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is managing a knee complaint that could relegate him to the bench or the treatment room.
The headline squad addition for Forest this summer is Liam Delap, who completed a £45 million transfer from Chelsea. The young forward could make his debut on Saturday, injecting a new dimension into Glasner’s attacking palette and signalling the club’s ambition to compete at the upper end of the table rather than merely survive the campaign.
Gakpo’s Transfer Speculation
Speculation surrounding Cody Gakpo’s long-term future at Anfield continues to generate noise. Tottenham Hotspur have expressed interest in the Dutch winger, though no formal approach has been confirmed. For Iraola the practical calculus is simple: Gakpo trains, plays, and performs as though his contract runs indefinitely. Should the Dutchman depart in the winter window, Munoz’s role would expand considerably and the left-side dynamics of Liverpool’s attacking play would shift. For now, however, Gakpo remains in the starting eleven and is expected to feature against Forest.
A repeat of the Newcastle result would invite immediate scrutiny of the back four’s organisation and the midfield’s ability to protect the defence in transition. A win, by contrast, would hand Iraola’s restructured project a three-point cushion heading into a packed September schedule.
FAQ
When and where does Liverpool play Nottingham Forest? The match takes place at Anfield on Saturday, August 29, with a 12:30pm BST kick-off.
Who is expected to start at left wing for Liverpool? Victor Munoz is projected to replace Rio Ngumoha, a change designed to add directness and width that the Newcastle match lacked.
Which Liverpool players are injured? Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Joe Gomez (muscle), Giovanni Leoni (knee), Conor Bradley (knee), and Ben Doak are all unavailable for the Forest fixture.
Has Liam Delap made his Forest debut yet? The £45 million Chelsea signing is expected to be available for Saturday and could make his first appearance, though a confirmed starting role has not been announced.
