Premier League Match Thread: Liverpool Vs Nottingham Forest, Sponsored by the trial of the century | Vital Football

Premier League Match Thread: Liverpool Vs Nottingham Forest, Sponsored by the trial of the century

Pope John XXIII

Pope John XXIII

Vital Football Legend
I'm a bit pressed for time and interest tonight so I offer up a slightly shorter thread where I won't go through all of the extremely well know players Liverpool have to throw at us.

Typing out the title, it made me think that this is a proper top flight fixture. Historical. Not like Liverpool and Arsenal, or Man Utd maybe. But it's a fixture with some history and feels like one that should be happening. I absolutely love being back in the top flight. What a time to be a Forest fan.

Being here does give the chance though for a whole new generation of fans to grow a loathing for Liverpool. So many teams in the championship and you know the fans and who are unpleasant. We are learning about the teams up here for the first time in a long time. And the two that really stand out at the top are Liverpool and Man Utd fans for being particularly, objectionably vile.

We play this game in the backdrop of 115 charges against Man City, which pretty much everyone knows will result in no substantial sporting punishment. Liverpool have significant skin in this one, given the consequence of the transgressions on trial has denied them at least a couple of titles. What a pity.

Unfortunately it is also against the backdrop of Liverpool having a fantastic start to the season and looking pretty indomitable.

But the international break can do funny things...

Liverpool style
Screenshot_20240913_202209_Samsung Internet.jpg
It's a bit early to result see the Arne Slot style yet. Liverpool still have a Kloppian tendency to murder teams on the counter with extremely athletic pressing, using lots of short passes and killer through balls.

I always love it when it says "no significant weaknesses". This is a free hit, so let's see if we can put some significant weaknesses on the board for them.

Formation

Screenshot_20240913_202234_Samsung Internet.jpg
Slot moves away from the Klopp 4-3-3 to a more standard 4-2-3-1 with Salah in the attacking midfield with the outstanding Szoboszlai. Jota or Gakpo up front.

Liverpool players

Screenshot_20240913_202222_Samsung Internet.jpg
Yeah, Liverpool are alright.

Mohammed Salah has a relatively poor season last year with just the 28 goal contributions in the PL. Perhaps a move to Saudi is still on his mind.

Dominik Szoboszlai I think is a brilliant player and tore us apart at their place last season. Not a big scorer but I really rate him.

Luis Diaz is another who isn't a huge scorer but is their best rated player for performances this season.

Good news is that Alexis MacAllister is back from injury just in time to play us. Yay.

Virgil van Dijk is getting on a bit at 33, but should have a decent ride against a jetlagged Wood or a 20 minute Awoniyi.

And then there is the player that everyone seems to be obsessed with (or Liverpool fans think everyone is as obsessed with as they are). "What do we think is Trent Alexander-Arnold's best position" is asked as if the question holds the same gravity as the search for unified field theory. Pun intended.

Form

Not much to say about this one. Liverpool have won all three premier league games this season. Doesn't really matter who they have played. 3-0 flattered Man Utd.

Screenshot_20240913_211120_Samsung Internet.jpg
Head to head

Our Premier League record against Liverpool isn't actually that bad- 3 wins since 1992, including in our first ever a Premier League game. The unjust win at the CG last season was our first home loss in decades to Liverpool (in the league).

Screenshot_20240913_211513_Samsung Internet.jpg
At Anfield though... We haven't won since 1969

Who's the ****** in the black?

Michael Oliver has this one, a Newcastle fan. Refereed our playoff semi final second leg, where he allowed Sheffield United to act as a rugby team. Refereed our crucial 4-3 win over Southampton where we had a goal disallowed. He also reffed us at Anfield 2 years ago where we gave them a moderate scare.
Screenshot_20240913_212116_Samsung Internet.jpg
VAR is Graham Scott, a Swindon fan who I think reffed us against Wolves and was actually consistent on the big decisions.
 
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This new manager seems to have got them playing better than Klopp

Hardest thing we have to somehow overcome I think will be their incredible workrate off the ball

Under Slot - they totally nullify and stop the opposition from playing and then when they win the ball they are doing great stuff with it

Just working as hard as them off the ball is going to be tough. But we've got no choice if we are to have any chance at all in this game

We are much improved but I honestly don't think they are going to give us any time on the ball to look good or be effective

Sadly I think this game is a bridge too far based on how well Slot has got them playing and how hard he's got them working

I think this may end up with people saying we have played crap. But I think it's going to be more a case of the opposition totally stifling us tbh

I'm thinking expect the very worst and anything else will be a huge bonus
 
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Pope John XXIII said:
I'm a bit pressed for time and interest tonight so I offer up a slightly shorter thread where I won't go through all of the extremely well know players Liverpool have to throw at us.

Typing out the title, it made me think that this is a proper top flight fixture. Historical. Not like Liverpool and Arsenal, or Man Utd maybe. But it's a fixture with some history and feels like one that should be happening. I absolutely love being back in the top flight. What a time to be a Forest fan.

Being here does give the chance though for a while new generation of fans to grow a loathing for Liverpool. So many tears in the championship and you know the fans and who are unpleasant. We are learning again up here. And the two that really stand out at the top are Liverpool and Man Utd fans for being particularly, objectionably vile.

We play this game in the backdrop of 115 charges against Man City, which pretty much everyone knows will result in no substantial sporting punishment. Liverpool have significant skin in this one, given the consequence of the transgressions on trial has denied them at least a couple of titles. What a pity.

Unfortunately it is also against the backdrop of Liverpool having a fantastic start to the season and looking pretty indomitable.

But the international break can do funny things...

Liverpool style
View attachment 76338
It's a bit early to result see the Arne Slot style yet. Liverpool still have a Kloppian tendency to murder teams on the counter with extremely athletic pressing, using lots of short passes and killer through balls.

I always love it when it says "no significant weaknesses". This is a free hit, so let's see if we can put some significant weaknesses on the board for them.

Formation

View attachment 76339
Slot moves away from the Klopp 4-3-3 to a more standard 4-2-3-1 with Salah in the attacking midfield with the outstanding Szoboszlai. Jota or Gakpo up front.

Liverpool players

View attachment 76340
Yeah, Liverpool are alright.

Mohammed Salah has a relatively poor season last year with just the 28 goal contributions in the PL. Perhaps a move to Saudi is still on his mind.

Dominik Szoboszlai I think is a brilliant player and tore us apart at their place last season. Not a big scorer but I really rate him.

Luis Diaz is another who isn't a huge scorer but is their best rated player for performances this season.

Good news is that Alexis MacAllister is back from injury just in time to play us. Yay.

Virgil van Dijk is getting on a bit at 33, but should have a decent ride against a jetlagged Wood or a 20 minute Awoniyi.

And then there is the player that everyone seems to be obsessed with (or Liverpool fans think everyone is as obsessed with as they are). "What do we think is Trent Alexander-Arnold's best position" is asked as if the question holds the same gravity as the search for unified field theory. Pun intended.

Form

Not much to say about this one. Liverpool have won all three premier league games this season. Doesn't really matter who they have played. 3-0 flattered Man Utd.

View attachment 76341
Head to head

Our Premier League record against Liverpool isn't actually that bad- 3 wins since 1992, including in our first ever a Premier League game. The unjust win at the CG last season was our first home loss in decades to Liverpool (in the league).

View attachment 76342
At Anfield though... We haven't won since 1969

Who's the ****** in the black?

Michael Oliver has this one, a Newcastle fan. Refereed our playoff semi final second leg, where he allowed Sheffield United to act as a rugby team. Refereed our crucial 4-3 win over Southampton where we had a goal disallowed. He also reffed us at Anfield 2 years ago where we gave them a moderate scare.
View attachment 76343
VAR is Graham Scott, a Swindon fan who I think reffed us against Wolves and was actually consistent on the big decisions.
Click to expand...
To what is the Trial of the Century sponsor referring?
 
We have to have a solid pass completion today. Giving the ball away in our half with silly passes will see us getting punished.

I'm hoping Anderson and JWP play in the 2 man pivot for this reason. If Yates or Sangare played like warriors but misplace one pass, the knuckle daggers will be after their scalps.
 
I think we will lose this one but at the same time past experience shows that we have the players to get something from the game. We will have to put in a season defining performance though and our average shot count is likely to take a hit…
 
even if we could hold them to a draw would be massive but not seeing it sadly.

I'm afraid I agree with HIM again. misplaced pass will see us done for.

let's just not get ourselves humiliated. don't think they will need the ref for this one.

performance possibly more important than the result today, would be nice to see more of the new players bed in.
 
This feels like a game for Ryan Yates.

We would miss Sangare's physicality in the middle, that's a problem. But agreed; their gials are likely to come from either a Sangare misplaced pass or Williams getting done like he has been doing on the through ball.

3-5-2 for me

Morata starting

Anderson, Yates, JWP

Wood and MGW, with Morgan being deeper when needed.

Gives Williams a bit more license to get forward and make a mistake or two. Bring Elanga on if we are still in it second half to chase the ball and give them something to think about.

I don't think Nuno will do it though. I think he'll want Elanga and CHO from the start
 
Pope John XXIII said:
This feels like a game for Ryan Yates.

We would miss Sangare's physicality in the middle, that's a problem. But agreed; their gials are likely to come from either a Sangare misplaced pass or Williams getting done like he has been doing on the through ball.

3-5-2 for me

Morata starting

Anderson, Yates, JWP

Wood and MGW, with Morgan being deeper when needed.

Gives Williams a bit more license to get forward and make a mistake or two. Bring Elanga on if we are still in it second half to chase the ball and give them something to think about.

I don't think Nuno will do it though. I think he'll want Elanga and CHO from the start
Click to expand...
I'd be very surprised to see Morata starting yet.
 
Pope John XXIII said:
This feels like a game for Ryan Yates.

We would miss Sangare's physicality in the middle, that's a problem. But agreed; their gials are likely to come from either a Sangare misplaced pass or Williams getting done like he has been doing on the through ball.

3-5-2 for me

Morata starting

Anderson, Yates, JWP

Wood and MGW, with Morgan being deeper when needed.

Gives Williams a bit more license to get forward and make a mistake or two. Bring Elanga on if we are still in it second half to chase the ball and give them something to think about.

I don't think Nuno will do it though. I think he'll want Elanga and CHO from the start
Click to expand...
To be fair, Williams had a great game against them last season.
 
the jock said:
They are going for 4 wins with no goals conceded in 4 games. It will be a prem record for the start of a season.

I hate this lot. I hope that we give a good account of ourselves .
Click to expand...
All runs have to come to an end let’s hope it’s today
 
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