Nottm Forest Vs Liverpool: Confirmed Liverpool XI and injury updates ahead of trip to the City Ground
nottm forest vs liverpool — Liverpool make two changes for today’s Premier League fixture at Nottingham Forest, restoring Hugo Ekitike to the attack and bringing Ryan Gravenberch back into midfield as Federico Chiesa and Curtis Jones drop out of the starting XI.
Nottm Forest Vs Liverpool: the confirmed XI and bench
Manager Arne Slot named a starting eleven that includes Alisson in goal and a front three of Salah, Gakpo and Ekitike. The full starting line-up reads: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike, Gravenberch. Named substitutes are Mamardashvili, Gomez, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Morrison and Ngumoha.
The change restores Ekitike to a central striking role and pushes Gravenberch straight back into midfield, replacing Chiesa and Jones from the side that began last weekend’s win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Fitness picture and absences shaping selection
Slot has offered a positive update on Alexander Isak’s fitness, with Isak expected to return around the March international break; until then Hugo Ekitike remains the only orthodox No. 9 available. Jeremie Frimpong is nearing a return from a groin injury but is not available for this trip, while Conor Bradley is out for the season. Joe Gomez has been flagged as ready to start after recent substitute appearances.
The squad also carries other setbacks: Wataru Endo is out for a “long time” following an ankle injury sustained in the recent win over Sunderland, and Giovanni Leoni is listed among the injured defenders. Those absences have influenced Slot’s selection and left fewer defensive options on the bench for the trip to the Midlands.
History and urgency: revenge after Anfield loss
Slot arrives at Nottingham Forest still seeking his first victory against Forest after three failed attempts. The fixture carries added weight after a 3–0 defeat for Liverpool at Anfield earlier in the season, a result that effectively ended the club’s hopes of retaining the Premier League crown that year and which Slot will be eager to avenge.
Liverpool have won five of their last seven in all competitions, and the team’s selection — with Ekitike leading the line and Gravenberch back in midfield — reflects an attempt to balance scoring options with midfield stability for today’s game against a club that troubled them at Anfield.
Today’s match at Nottingham Forest is the immediate focus: Liverpool’s chosen XI and bench are set, the manager’s search for a first win against Forest continues, and Alexander Isak’s potential return is penciled in for around the March international break. The teams kick off today in the Premier League, and post-match recovery and rotation plans will be determined once the game concludes.
