Anfield Awaits as Liverpool Chase Control Against Forest
No Reason to Rip It Up
Our view here is straightforward. Andoni Iraola has no business making wholesale changes for Liverpool’s first home league fixture of note against Nottingham Forest. The 2-2 scramble at Newcastle was messy in spots, but this group is still finding its shape under a new coach, and continuity matters more than any knee jerk reshuffle right now. Anfield gets its first proper look at this Iraola side on Saturday, and we would rather see rhythm protected than results chased through unnecessary tinkering.
The XI We Expect
Between the sticks, Alisson keeps his place, shielded by a back four of Jeremie Frimpong, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez. Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch look set to run midfield, with Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo pushing on either side of Alexander Isak up top.
The one alteration we would back is Victor Munoz coming in on the right in place of Rio Ngumoha. Gakpo, meanwhile, should keep his spot even with transfer speculation swirling. Reports linking him with a move to Tottenham do not change what he offers Liverpool right now, and Iraola would be wise to tune that noise out until the window shuts.
Our predicted XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk (captain), Kerkez, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Munoz, Isak.
Absentees and Forest’s Own Headaches
The treatment room stays busy. Hugo Ekitike is still working his way back from the Achilles injury he picked up in April, Joe Gomez is nursing a muscle issue, and Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley remain sidelined with knee problems of their own. Federico Chiesa is a doubt too, which leaves Jacquet as the man Iraola trusts alongside Van Dijk, with Ronald Araujo waiting among the substitutes if things get sticky.
Forest travel with concerns of their own. Neco Williams took a knock against Leeds and is touch and go, Morgan Gibbs-White is carrying a knee complaint, and Liam Delap could hand Oliver Glasner a debut off the back of his £45m move from Chelsea, a wildcard that could unsettle Liverpool’s back line if he is thrown straight in.
Kick-off is 12:30pm BST on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Anfield. From where we sit, the requirement is simple. Sharper control in possession, more bite in the final third, and a home crowd given every reason to stay on side.