Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest - Premier League

A fascinating Premier League chapter awaits on August 29, 2026 when Liverpool take on Nottingham Forest at Anfield — two sides with plenty to play for and everything to prove. Manchester City face the K-League All-Stars in Seoul on Wednesday as part of their pre-season tour of Asia.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the Premier League contest at Anfield offers a chance to lay down a marker. It has been a solid if unspectacular run for the hosts — WDWWD across their last five with a win rate of 44.74% — and they will want to push on from here. The visitors have been enduring a wretched campaign, LWDDL in their last five and a season win rate of just 23.68% that leaves them deep in trouble. The contrast in attacking output — 1.55 versus 1 goals per game — adds an extra layer of intrigue. The fact that Oxford ultimately fell five points short of the total needed to stay in the Championship shows that it would have required top-half - almost play-off - form during the second half of the season.

Stylistically, this is a compelling matchup. Liverpool favour a patient, possession-based approach, whereas Nottingham Forest are at their most dangerous when allowed to hit quickly on the counter. It meant City had a three-man defence of Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov and Ruben Dias when in possession.

All eyes will be on the league's leading marksman E. Haaland, whose 5 goals this season make him the standout threat and a player capable of deciding the outcome on his own. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. Talks are progressing over Ayyoub Bouaddi Nico Gonzalez has become the latest Manchester City midfielder to commit his future to the club.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. With the sides so closely matched, a 2-2 stalemate looks the most likely way this one ends. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says a verdict on the alleged charges against Manchester City "has taken longer than expected".