Liverpool return to Premier League action on Saturday as they look to restart their campaign with a much-needed win against Nottingham Forest at Anfield. Arne Slot’s men are hoping to turn the page after a difficult stretch that saw them suffer six defeats in seven matches leading into November—a run considered one of the worst in the club’s recent history.
There were signs of recovery when Liverpool produced an impressive 2-0 victory over Aston Villa and followed it up with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Real Madrid. However, that renewed confidence was short-lived, as a 3-0 loss to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad quickly halted their momentum. With inconsistency threatening to creep back in, the Reds will be anxious to avoid another setback as they prepare for the weekend clash.
One major boost for Liverpool comes in the form of Alisson Becker’s expected return. The Brazilian goalkeeper has been out since suffering a hamstring issue on September 30 during the Champions League match against Galatasaray. His recovery has progressed well, and he is anticipated to be part of the matchday squad, though his involvement will ultimately depend on Arne Slot’s confirmation during Friday’s press conference. For now, he is listed as a minor doubt, but optimism around his availability is growing.
Liverpool’s overall injury situation has also improved, giving Slot more stability after several weeks of selection challenges. Despite this, a few key players remain unavailable.
Young defender Giovanni Leoni is ruled out for the foreseeable future after tearing his ACL during his debut appearance against Southampton in the EFL Cup. The 18-year-old, who arrived in the summer with high expectations, is likely to miss the remainder of the campaign. No clear timeline has been provided for his recovery.
Jeremie Frimpong, who has already endured two hamstring injuries this season, is also sidelined. The Dutch wing-back picked up his latest setback in the match against Eintracht Frankfurt in October. Although he is getting closer to full fitness, Slot has made it clear he does not expect Frimpong to return in time for the meeting with Nottingham Forest. His earliest possible comeback appears to be the December 3 fixture against Sunderland.
On a positive note, Liverpool have no suspension issues to worry about, meaning Slot will at least have a full pool of eligible players aside from the injured trio. As they attempt to regain control of their season, Saturday’s match offers a crucial opportunity to rebuild confidence and consistency.
