Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool: Survival Meets Champions League Ambition at the City Ground

Sunday's Premier League Matchday 27 clash between Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool at the City Ground could not carry higher stakes for both clubs. Kick-off is set for 9:00 AM ET on February 22, 2026, with the Tricky Trees fighting for their top-flight lives and the Reds chasing a return to the Champions League. Two clubs, two desperate missions, one electric afternoon in Nottinghamshire.

Nottingham Forest Enter With a New Manager Bounce

The Nottingham Forest story this season reads like a soap opera. Vítor Pereira is now the fourth permanent manager installed at the club during the current campaign, taking over following the dismissal of Sean Dyche after a dismal 0-0 home draw against bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers on Matchday 26. Pereira, however, did not waste a moment making his mark — he guided Forest to a stunning 3-0 victory over Fenerbahçe in Istanbul in the Europa League playoff first leg on Thursday, a result that immediately transformed the mood around the club.

That midweek win in Turkey should be treated as context rather than comfort, however. The Nottingham Forest squad remains in genuine danger. The Tricky Trees sit 17th in the Premier League table with 27 points from 26 matches, clinging to safety by a margin of just three points above the relegation zone.

Key absences further complicate Pereira's task in his first Premier League home match in charge. The following players are confirmed out:

Liverpool's Champions League Chase Demands a Win

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest represents a must-win opportunity for Arne Slot's side. The reigning Premier League champions have endured a bitterly disappointing title defence, sitting sixth in the table with 42 points from 26 games — a staggering 16 points behind leaders Arsenal. Their focus has entirely shifted to securing Champions League qualification, with the club sitting three points behind fourth-placed Manchester United and two behind fifth-placed Chelsea.

Liverpool arrive in better form than their league position suggests. Back-to-back clean sheets — a 1-0 win at Sunderland courtesy of a Virgil van Dijk goal and a 3-0 FA Cup thrashing of Brighton — have steadied nerves at Anfield. Dominik Szoboszlai is set to return after serving a suspension, while Joe Gomez is confirmed fit and expected to start at right back.

Liverpool's predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Gomez, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitiké.

Head-to-Head: Forest Have Had Liverpool's Number

The historical head-to-head record firmly favors Liverpool, who have won 60 of the 123 meetings between the clubs compared to Forest's 33 victories. But recent history tells a very different story. Liverpool have not won their last three meetings with Nottingham Forest across all competitions, losing two of those games. Most memorably, Forest dismantled Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield back in November 2025 — a result that still stings the red half of Merseyside and proves Forest are entirely capable of causing a major upset.

Premier League Standings Context

Key Battles That Will Decide Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool

The Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool contest hinges on several individual duels. Florian Wirtz, who has scored four goals in his last ten Premier League appearances for Liverpool, poses the single greatest attacking threat. Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White will need to be both creative going forward and disciplined in transition as Pereira's men look to soak up pressure and strike on the counter. Liverpool have scored in nine consecutive matches across all competitions and will be expected to break Forest down eventually — the question is whether the hosts' defensive shape and the new-manager energy can hold firm for long enough to steal something.

What to Expect From This Premier League Showdown

The Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool match carries a 9:00 AM ET kick-off on Sunday, February 22, 2026, broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK. Liverpool enter as clear favorites given their superior squad depth, fresher legs after a lighter midweek schedule, and the enormous pressure bearing down on a Forest side that used up significant energy traveling to and playing 90 minutes in Istanbul just three days prior. Still, the City Ground atmosphere under a new manager with a point to prove should not be underestimated. Forest humiliated Liverpool once already this season — and with relegation breathing down their necks, Pereira's men have every reason to make it two.