LIVERPOOL and Nottingham Forest lock horns at Anfield on Saturday as both sides seek their first win of the new Premier League campaign.
Andoni Iraola’s reign started with a point against Newcastle thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai’s stoppage-time penalty, while Oliver Glasner’s side suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Leeds.
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest bet builder tips
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Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
Saturday, 29 August 2026 • 12:30 BST • Premier League
Alexander Isak
— Anytime Goalscorer
Yes
— Both Teams to Score
Best Odds
Betfred
3.56/1
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3.33/1
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Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest kick-off time, date, TV channel and venue
Date: Saturday, August 29
Kick-off: 12.30pm BST
Venue: Anfield
Competition: Premier League
TV channel: TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate TV channels in the UK.
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest predictions
Liverpool are favourites to clinch their first victory of the season against a Nottingham Forest side who’ve started life under Oliver Glasner with back-to-back defeats, both without scoring.
Despite now having gone five top-flight matches without a victory, the Reds are used to starting in style, having won their first home game in 12 of the last 13 Premier League seasons.
But that could be easier said than done, with Nottingham Forest having won on each of their last two visits to Anfield, keeping clean sheets in both.
Liverpool win
Liverpool were far from their brilliant best against Newcastle in their season-opener, but they still showed enough to suggest victories are on the horizon.
The Reds fired off 27 efforts at goal, more than any side in the division on opening weekend, and generated an xG of 2.98 while creating three big chances away from home.
Liverpool should be sharper for the experience and should also be the fresher of the two sides, with the Tricky Trees having lost 1-0 to Leeds in the Carabao Cup midweek, failing to score or keep a clean sheet for the second time in four days.
➡️ Bet on Liverpool to win at 1/2 with Betfred
Alexander Isak to score
It was a difficult afternoon for Alexander Isak on his return to a hostile St James’ Park, but there were reasons to be optimistic that he’ll bag more than three goals this season.
He had four attempts on goal, two of them on target, with an expected goals tally of 1.3, the third-highest figure of any player in the Premier League. His six touches in the opposition penalty area was respectable during what was the first time in his Liverpool career that he’s completed 90 minutes.
If he continues to get that number of opportunities, there’s no doubt his ruthless streak will return.
➡️ Pick Alexander Isak to score at 6/5 with BetMGM
Both teams to score (YES)
Liverpool generated plenty of chances last weekend, but they also conceded their fair share, struggling to contain Newcastle on the counter, shipping 13 shots on goal, conceding twice and allowing three big chances.
Nottingham Forest will look to exploit that and should have some success, with Liverpool now eight competitive matches without a clean sheet. Forest have also scored in each of their last ten Premier League away games, the longest ongoing run of any side in the division.
➡️ Tip Both teams to score at 8/11 with Betway
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest preview
Andoni Iraola leads his Liverpool side out at Anfield for the first time since replacing Arne Slot over the summer.
Only one week into the job, there’s already pressure on the Spaniard to deliver an improved performance, especially with Amit Bhatia, the new Liverpool vice-chairman, set to be in attendance on Saturday.
But there’s unlikely to be any knee-jerk reaction to last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle from Iraola, who failed to win any of his first nine Premier League matches at Bournemouth before turning things around.
The Reds may have required a 99th-minute Dominik Szoboszlai penalty to salvage a point, but they still controlled much of the game, with almost 61% possession, 27 shots to Newcastle’s 13 and 16 shots to six inside the opposition’s penalty area.
The Spaniard must address Liverpool’s midfield issues and susceptibility on the counter-attack, but he’s more than capable of remedying that against a Nottingham Forest side who’ve started in underwhelming fashion.
Glasner’s side suffered two defeats to Leeds in the space of four days, both without finding the target. Their attacking output will be of more concern to the Austrian, with the Tricky Trees one of only three clubs who failed to create a single big chance on the opening weekend.
Forest will hope the imminent arrival of Chelsea striker Liam Delap for a club-record fee worth around £50m will help with goals, but it was always likely to take time to settle things down off the back of battling relegation last season with four different managers, the loss of Elliot Anderson and the change of formation.
Key stats for Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest have scored in each of their last 10 Premier League away games, the longest ongoing run in the division.
Liverpool have won their first home game in 12 of the last 13 Premier League seasons.
Liverpool have failed to win any of their last five Premier League games (D3 L2).
Nottingham Forest have won their last two Premier League away games against Liverpool.
Cody Gakpo had nine shot involvements against Newcastle (six shots, three chances created), the most of any player on MD1.
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest betting odds
Here are the latest odds provided by bet365, Betway and Coral.
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest predicted line-ups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.
Nottingham Forest (3-4-2-1): Sels; Murillo, Milenkovic, Aina; Williams, Sangare, McAtee, Ndoye; Gibbs-White, Jesus.
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest team news
Liverpool: The Reds could be unchanged from the draw against Newcastle, although Federico Chiesa is a doubt after missing training. Joe Gomez remains sidelined, while Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are long-term absentees.
Nottingham Forest: Morgan Gibbs-White missed the Carabao Cup defeat to Leeds with a knee injury, but Oliver Glasner is hopeful of having him fit for Saturday. Ryan Yates and Nicolo Savona remain sidelined, while Ousmane Diomande could make his Premier League debut. Liam Delap could also feature if his move is completed in time.
Verdict
Nottingham Forest may have enjoyed their last couple of trips to Anfield, but it looks a difficult assignment to make it three wins from three visits, especially given their struggles in front of goal. If Liverpool produce a similar attacking output to their first game, Andoni Iraola should claim his first competitive win as manager.
Read more of our 2026/27 football season tips and predictions
About the author
Craig Mahood
Craig Mahood is an expert in sports betting and online casinos and has worked with the company since 2020. He joined the Betting & Gaming team at The Jattvibe in June 2022 and works closely with the leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to provide content on all areas of sports betting and gaming. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter at the Scottish Jattvibe, covering Scottish football with particular focus on Celtic and Rangers, As well as football, he has covered horse racing, boxing, darts, the Olympics and tennis for the Jattvibe.
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