Diogo Jota is expected to lead the line for Liverpool at Nottingham Forest (Image: GETTY)
can lay down a marker when they face the only team to beat them in the under – – tonight (8pm). The Reds know victory would move them at least temporarily nine points clear at the top of the table and all but end Forest’s hopes of winning the title. Express Sport looks at how Slot could line up for a potentially season-defining encounter…
Goalkeeper: Alisson
Caoimhin Kelleher kept a clean sheet in Saturday’s FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley but there’s no doubt who will be in goal for the trip to the City Ground. Alisson has kept five clean sheets in 11 games this season and will be vital here. All of the last three meetings between these two clubs at Forest’s stadium have ended 1-0 either way. That was also the same scoreline that decided the reverse fixture at Anfield in September.
Defence: Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson
Ibrahima Konate was not in the match-day squad against Forest but he is thought to be fit for this one. He will replace Jarell Quansah while Wataru Endo will drop back to the bench for captain Virgil van Dijk. has scored in two of his last three appearances either side of his much-maligned performance against . He will need to be at his best defensively here down the same side as Callum Hudson-Odoi.Andy Robertson has endured a difficult season but has had strong performances here and there, such as the win at home to Aston Villa in November. Slot will hope he gets the best version of the Scot in Nottingham.
Midfield: Mac Allister, Gravenberch
‘s first-choice midfield pairing were given a rare weekend off and will need all their energy, against Forest’s counter-attacking threat, and their creative expertise against the hosts’ low block.Gravenberch looked tired in his last outing – the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg loss to – and will be required to up his levels tonight.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Ibrahima Konate should both start for Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
Attack: Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota
Dominik Szoboszlai had missed ‘s previous three games before a 45-minute appearance against Accrington to get him back up to speed. The Hungarian’s tireless legs were missed while he was absent and he is expected to start over Curtis Jones. is a surefire starter having been the best player in the league this season. On the left, Luis Diaz is the superior player in one-versus-one duels, Cody Gakpo may start over the Colombian.Gakpo has made a habit of scoring important goals and is capable of thundering one in from range – a quality that could be key against a resilient Forest defence. And another handy goal-getter is Diogo Jota.The Portuguese No.20 scored his seventh of the season at the weekend in his first 90-minute outing since returning from injury. His prolificness makes him the favourite to start through the middle over Diaz and Darwin Nunez.