Pope John XXIII
Vital Football Legend
Coming from a generation unaffected by Heysel or the late 70s/ early 80's rivalry, I'm one of many unaffected by past experiences with Liverpool.
So my dislike of the club and their fans is entirely independent and based purely on my observations of them over the last 30 years; the vast majority of which they have not been playing forest.
There is a lot to dislike, and over the past 2-3 years there has been plenty to dislike about Klopp as well. But probably fair to say for me this is more or less just another game against the top six, albeit one I would absolutely love to win. For older fans it means a lot more.
Alas, anyone winning at Anfield is a rarity. They were shite away last season but remain supreme at home.
Style of Play
Nothing changes really; same style as under Klopp for the past 6 years or so. High pressing, high intensity, very attacking and relentless.
They have six shots per game more than we do, they've scored double the goals we have (and therefore average more than 2 goals scored per game) and average 55% possession to our 40%. Their passing success is 86% to our 76%, but we'll usually win a few more headers than they expect to.
They will concede chances to us though if we actually have the personnel fit to create them. Not sure I fancy an attack of MGW and Wood being out only fit attackers though.
Formation
They will almost always do a 4-3-3 under Klopp. Personall will come and go but the principals remain the same.
Players
They have this guy up front called Mo Salah. He's probably pretty rubbish because Chelsea flogged him abroad years ago. He's only managed 194 goals in 315 games for Liverpool, so I'm sure Boly will have no problem with him even if he's feeling fatigued. Only the 7 goals in 9 this season.
Alongside is likely to be Diego Jota, who broke our hearts in the FA Cup in 2022 when we'd given a great account of ourselves. He's the kind of "Vydra" style pure finisher who always manages to score against Forest. He's managed 2 goals in 4 games so far but I would fear him scoring against us.
Potentially on the left will be Luis Diaz, a Colombian Left wing forward who cuts inside and is a great dribbler and finisher. He has three goals in 9 starts so far.
That is the likely front three. I really think we are going to have to go three at the back, maybe give Ona a debut or trust Worrall, to have a chance of competing here.
Probably coming from the bench will be Cody Gakpo, who we once had some vague fantasies of signing. He's only 24, Dutch, plays across the front three and is an outstanding crosser and set piece taker. He's recently been injured but should be available from the bench for this game. He has three goals and an assist for Liverpool so far this season and managed 7 goals in his debut season last year.
Another possibility of course is Darwin Nunez, who cost a fortune. Also 24, the Uruguayan is a strong finisher (sometimes) and good in the air, but still a bit physically weak in this league and very immature. He scored as many PL goals last season as Awoniyi (9), which must be disappointing, but has 3 already this season and is getting better.
It is possible we may see the 20 year old Harvey Elliot as well if Klopp thinks we are shit enough to give him experience. He plays in the middle of wide right and is creative and tricky, but shrugged off easily.
In the midfield three will be Dominik Szoboszlai (go on, say it without hearing it first). He's a 23 year old Hungarian who can play anywhere. He's a brilliant crosser, puts in quality set pieces and is superb at passing (88% accuracy in the PL). His performances in the centre have been really strong all year and he's good in the defensive phase as well. Quality player.
In the middle will be Alexis MacAllister, the big Argentinian signing from Brighton. A direct free kick threat and strong passer (not so great defensively), he's had a solid but unspectacular start at Liverpool, making 9 starts but not scoring yet
On the left we may see 22 year old Curtis Jones, who can play in the front three but tends to be more in the central midfield. He can move the ball and pass well, but easily shrugged off in the air. I'd say he may be the weaker spot to play through if they start him.
Also possible though is 21 year old Dutch DCM Ryan Gravenberch. He's a great passer and good in the air. But only one PL start so far suggests Jones getting the nod
In defence, they have the colossal (though potentially declining) Virgil Van Dyke. We've seen him in each of the last two seasons at our place; he's good but not unbeatable anymore.
Usually alongside him would be Joel Matip, now 32. He's superb at intercepting but prone to mistakes at times.
If not him it will be Ibrahima Konate, who played against Everton. He's a 24 year old Frenchman who is good in the air and passing it out from the back.
Andy Robertson is supposedly injured at LB, so that means Kostas Tsimikas deputising. The Greek is probably more a threat going forward and from set pieces than as a defender and we could get at them here.
On the right is Trent Alexander-Arnold, who Liverpool fans think everyone else is as obsessed with as they are. "Is he a good defender?" "Is he a better winger?" Who cares? We have to watch him in the attacking sense and exploit the fact that, no, he's not much of a defender. Today is a great day for Liverpool players who are shite defenders though, as we don't have any attackers fit to face them.
Here is their squad in full
Form
Intimidating. They lost that dubious game to Spurs, have draws against Chelsea and Brighton, straight wins otherwise. They haven't played a really top team yet though
Head to head
I've gone for the PL era only here as an arbitrary measure
We haven't won at Anfield since 1969. They haven't won at the CG in the league since 1984.
Weather
A sunny but cool 13°c
So my dislike of the club and their fans is entirely independent and based purely on my observations of them over the last 30 years; the vast majority of which they have not been playing forest.
There is a lot to dislike, and over the past 2-3 years there has been plenty to dislike about Klopp as well. But probably fair to say for me this is more or less just another game against the top six, albeit one I would absolutely love to win. For older fans it means a lot more.
Alas, anyone winning at Anfield is a rarity. They were shite away last season but remain supreme at home.
Style of Play
Nothing changes really; same style as under Klopp for the past 6 years or so. High pressing, high intensity, very attacking and relentless.
They have six shots per game more than we do, they've scored double the goals we have (and therefore average more than 2 goals scored per game) and average 55% possession to our 40%. Their passing success is 86% to our 76%, but we'll usually win a few more headers than they expect to.
They will concede chances to us though if we actually have the personnel fit to create them. Not sure I fancy an attack of MGW and Wood being out only fit attackers though.
Formation
They will almost always do a 4-3-3 under Klopp. Personall will come and go but the principals remain the same.
Players
They have this guy up front called Mo Salah. He's probably pretty rubbish because Chelsea flogged him abroad years ago. He's only managed 194 goals in 315 games for Liverpool, so I'm sure Boly will have no problem with him even if he's feeling fatigued. Only the 7 goals in 9 this season.
Alongside is likely to be Diego Jota, who broke our hearts in the FA Cup in 2022 when we'd given a great account of ourselves. He's the kind of "Vydra" style pure finisher who always manages to score against Forest. He's managed 2 goals in 4 games so far but I would fear him scoring against us.
Potentially on the left will be Luis Diaz, a Colombian Left wing forward who cuts inside and is a great dribbler and finisher. He has three goals in 9 starts so far.
That is the likely front three. I really think we are going to have to go three at the back, maybe give Ona a debut or trust Worrall, to have a chance of competing here.
Probably coming from the bench will be Cody Gakpo, who we once had some vague fantasies of signing. He's only 24, Dutch, plays across the front three and is an outstanding crosser and set piece taker. He's recently been injured but should be available from the bench for this game. He has three goals and an assist for Liverpool so far this season and managed 7 goals in his debut season last year.
Another possibility of course is Darwin Nunez, who cost a fortune. Also 24, the Uruguayan is a strong finisher (sometimes) and good in the air, but still a bit physically weak in this league and very immature. He scored as many PL goals last season as Awoniyi (9), which must be disappointing, but has 3 already this season and is getting better.
It is possible we may see the 20 year old Harvey Elliot as well if Klopp thinks we are shit enough to give him experience. He plays in the middle of wide right and is creative and tricky, but shrugged off easily.
In the midfield three will be Dominik Szoboszlai (go on, say it without hearing it first). He's a 23 year old Hungarian who can play anywhere. He's a brilliant crosser, puts in quality set pieces and is superb at passing (88% accuracy in the PL). His performances in the centre have been really strong all year and he's good in the defensive phase as well. Quality player.
In the middle will be Alexis MacAllister, the big Argentinian signing from Brighton. A direct free kick threat and strong passer (not so great defensively), he's had a solid but unspectacular start at Liverpool, making 9 starts but not scoring yet
On the left we may see 22 year old Curtis Jones, who can play in the front three but tends to be more in the central midfield. He can move the ball and pass well, but easily shrugged off in the air. I'd say he may be the weaker spot to play through if they start him.
Also possible though is 21 year old Dutch DCM Ryan Gravenberch. He's a great passer and good in the air. But only one PL start so far suggests Jones getting the nod
In defence, they have the colossal (though potentially declining) Virgil Van Dyke. We've seen him in each of the last two seasons at our place; he's good but not unbeatable anymore.
Usually alongside him would be Joel Matip, now 32. He's superb at intercepting but prone to mistakes at times.
If not him it will be Ibrahima Konate, who played against Everton. He's a 24 year old Frenchman who is good in the air and passing it out from the back.
Andy Robertson is supposedly injured at LB, so that means Kostas Tsimikas deputising. The Greek is probably more a threat going forward and from set pieces than as a defender and we could get at them here.
On the right is Trent Alexander-Arnold, who Liverpool fans think everyone else is as obsessed with as they are. "Is he a good defender?" "Is he a better winger?" Who cares? We have to watch him in the attacking sense and exploit the fact that, no, he's not much of a defender. Today is a great day for Liverpool players who are shite defenders though, as we don't have any attackers fit to face them.
Here is their squad in full
Form
Intimidating. They lost that dubious game to Spurs, have draws against Chelsea and Brighton, straight wins otherwise. They haven't played a really top team yet though
Head to head
I've gone for the PL era only here as an arbitrary measure
We haven't won at Anfield since 1969. They haven't won at the CG in the league since 1984.
Weather
A sunny but cool 13°c
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