Liverpool could make it three consecutive Premier League wins for the first time this season on Saturday, as they face Nottingham Forest.
Darwin Nunez's first-half header was all that separated Liverpool and West Ham in the last outing, with Jurgen Klopp 's side winning 1-0 at Anfield. The result saw the Reds move to seventh in the Premier League table, and Liverpool could potentially move up to fifth if they beat Forest on Saturday, depending on other results.
These two sides met in the FA Cup last season, with Liverpool edging past Forest in a 1-0 win. Nunez was withdrawn before the hour mark against West Ham as a precaution, but the striker should be fine for Saturday.
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also returned to the bench against the Hammers while Curtis Jones made it onto the pitch, with Arthur, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Joel Matip, Naby Keita and Ibrahima Konate all set to miss out.
So, can the Reds back it three wins on the bounce at the City Ground? We simulated the game to find out. To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We simulated Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool to get a score prediction
We predict that Forest could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Henderson; Aurier, Cook, McKenna, Williams; Mangala, Yates, Freuler; Johnson, Awoniyi, Gibbs-White.
We predict that Liverpool could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson: Fabinho, Henderson; Elliott, Firmino, Carvalho; Nunez.
Liverpool got off to the perfect start in Nottingham, with Darwin Nunez scoring twice in the opening 15 minutes to send the Reds 2-0 ahead. His first came in a similar fashion to his goal against West Ham midweek - the striker met Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross at the near post to head into the far corner of the net.
His second was the standout though, with Nunez scoring a goal that he's almost scored twice already in his Liverpool career. Like in the games against West Ham and Everton, a long ball over the top dropped in front of Nunez as he burst towards goal.
On the half volley, the Uruguayan struck a thunderous effort, looping over Dean Henderson and into the net. The Reds entered the break 2-0 up, but just 14 minutes after the restart, Roberto Firmino hit twice as he sent Liverpool 4-0 up.
Like Nunez, his first came as he headed Andrew Robertson's cross into the net, with the effort taking a deflection to bundle past Henderson at his near post. Substitute Curtis Jones spotted the run of Firmino into the box as he threaded a pass through to the Brazilian, and the 31-year-old curled past the 'keeper at his near post to make it four.
Forest did pull a goal back with 20 minutes remaining, with former Red Taiwo Awoniyi smartly chipping Alisson from outside the box as the 'keeper rushed off his line. But, the game was put to bed in the final few minutes as Jones notched Liverpool's fifth of the afternoon.
A mazy run from Mohamed Salah on the right saw the forward skip past three defenders before entering the box, and the Egyptian picked out Jones in the box with a driven cross. With momentum on his side, Jones beat the defender to the ball, striking a powerful effort into the top corner and guaranteeing another huge victory for the Reds.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Nottingham Forest 1-5 Liverpool
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 23 predicts that Liverpool could make it three wins on the trot against Nottingham Forest, winning 5-1 at the City Ground. Roberto Firmino and Darwin Nunez could both impress again as they each grabbed a brace in the simulation, whilst Curtis Jones also scored in the dominant performance.
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments below.
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