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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
James Pallatt

Evangelos Marinakis demand highlighted as pundits agree on Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest prediction

Chris Sutton and Paul Merson are both predicting heavy defeats for Nottingham Forest against Liverpool.

Steve Cooper’s Reds travel to Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday, aiming to lift themselves out of the relegation zone.

Forest are currently in 18th place in the table, only behind 17th-placed Everton on goal difference. But they have struggled throughout the season away from the City Ground and facing Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will be a huge challenge.

READ MORE: Harry Redknapp issues Nottingham Forest relegation verdict

READ MORE: Cooper split verdict delivered amid Forest relegation worries

“What scoreline do you want? This game is nearly a foregone conclusion, because Nottingham Forest are atrocious away from home. I love the Premier League because there are no easy games, but this is as close as it gets,” Merson told Sportskeeda , predicting a 4-0 defeat for Forest

"Trent Alexander-Arnold is the best passer of the ball in England.

"He can spray the ball all over the pitch, and he can put it on a six-pence. He doesn't play safe passes and will rip it up against lesser teams, but I don't know if it'll work against the big guns. His passing is second to none at Liverpool and I like what he's trying - it's very expansive.

“Diogo Jota chipped in with a very well-taken brace last week. Liverpool have suffered a lot of injuries, but all their players are coming back now. The way they pressed last week, Liverpool look like they've got the bit between their teeth again. I don't see anything but a Liverpool victory in this fixture.”

Sutton agreed in his BBC predictions column , predicting a 3-0 home win: "This is probably the game I am most confident about this week - mostly based on Nottingham Forest's terrible away form.

"Forest boss Steve Cooper got a vote of confidence last week from the club's owner Evangelos Marinakis but was told that results must improve. They haven't.

"Based on what Marinakis said, I am surprised Cooper is still in a job, not that I in any way think he should be sacked. I don't see Forest ending their 10-game winless run at Anfield, though.

"Liverpool look stronger up front now Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz are back from injury and Jurgen Klopp has copied Pep Guardiola's playbook by using Trent Alexander-Arnold in a new inverted role.

"It is working really well, and I can see them scoring more goals here."

Will Forest stay up? Have your say in the comments below

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