Liverpool host Nottingham Forest at Anfield this Saturday, as they aim to continue their 100% winning start and add a fourth consecutive clean sheet to their name too.
But much like their hosts, Nottingham Forest also head into the fixture unbeaten, sitting on five points after three games and will be seeking to avoid defeat too.
Arne Slot has had a dream start to his Liverpool career, guiding his Reds to victory in all three of their Premier League fixtures so far against Ipswich Town, Brentford and Manchester United.
Given the form and attractive football that has been on display this campaign, there is expectation that Liverpool can extend their winning run in the league at home against a Forest side tipped to have a difficult season ahead.
An unbreachable back-line
Three games and three clean sheets for Arne Slot in his maiden season on Merseyside has seen pundits lauding the Dutchman over his tactics and new-found defensive stability he has brought to Anfield.
Slot has instilled a system of tactical discipline, introducing a compact and structured approach to games, whether that is in or out of possession, a far cry from the rather chaotic style of Jürgen Klopp, which saw Liverpool concede a concerning average of 3.1 “direct attacks” per 90 minutes.
This solid style of play essentially means that opposition players find gaps hard to come by in transition phases.
More is asked of midfielders and wingers to fulfil their defensive duties when the team needs it, whether that is tracking back or getting stuck into tackles.
As a result, the team looks far more at ease during games, even when the opposition are on the ball, which is to the total credit of Slot and his ability to sell his vision to the group of players.
The likes of Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga in the Forest attack on Saturday, however, will undoubtedly provide a tricky test for this stubborn back-four, who have already kept out Ipswich Town, Brentford and, most recently, Manchester United.
Four consecutive clean sheets this season and five, including last, is still some way off Manchester United’s Premier League record of 14 but it most certainly will be an impressive feat for a team recently under new management.
Trent excelling for club and country
It has been a tremendous start for Trent Alexander-Arnold this season, seeing him carry his club-form into the international break.
Trent gained many plaudits during his time away with England this past week, particularly against Finland in a 2-0 win, where he created five chances from midfield, assisting Harry Kane in the process.
And for Liverpool it has been the same, with Trent excelling in his hybrid right-back/midfield role in Arne Slot’s system, revitalising the attacking influence and role he has within the team.
Trent’s ability to spot passes and exploit gaps in the opposition’s midfield and defence have been given high praise by the footballing community, with the defender being able to mix precise long-balls with cute, clever passes, and that is not even mentioning the relentless dangerous crosses he supplies the Red’s attackers with.
This superb form has seen him bag five assists so far, for both Liverpool and England, as the Scouser sets himself up for one of his most well-rounded seasons yet.
With this in mind, fans are hopeful that they will witness a ‘Trent masterclass’ against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday, seeing yet more exciting attacking play with the team as a whole in excellent form.
Changes expected ahead of midweek Milan match
Rumours are circulating and expectations are mounting that a few of the ‘big names’ could be dropped for the weekend’s game against Forest ahead of Liverpool's Champions League fixture against AC Milan on Tuesday.
Liverpool return to Champions League action on Tuesday after failing to qualify for last season’s competition in the 2022/23 Premier League campaign and will be keen to get off to a decent start in the new European format.
As a result, it is unlikely that fans will see the team lineups of the last few league games in an attempt to rotate the squad and keep everyone fresh for a busy run of fixtures over the next few months.
Moreover, Liverpool may be missing a couple of key players against Nottingham Forest anyway after the international break with Harvey Elliott out with a fractured foot and Alexis Mac Allister scheduled to be touch-and-go come 15:00 on Saturday.
Nevertheless, the Reds still enjoy a formidable squad and have all the quality to name more-than-capable replacements, who will put in stellar performances.
Liverpool’s favourable form
Liverpool go into the weekend fixture with Nottingham Forest in fine form under new gaffer, Arne Slot.
Slot’s men have won all three of their Premier League games, scoring seven goals and conceding none in the process.
But the fine form does not end there.
Since the 30 October 2022, Liverpool have only lost one game at home, which, rather infamously, was against an in-form Crystal Palace last season, where they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat, ultimately ending their title hopes.
Whilst, of course, this does not naturally hand Liverpool a win come the full time whistle, it is undoubtedly a good omen for the Reds.
And if these great runs of form were not enough, Nottingham Forest have not won at Anfield since 1969.
Victory guaranteed, right?
