“THE WHOLE LEAGUE WILL FEEL THIS ONE!”
BREAKING NEWS:
Liverpool’s lineup for the clash against Nottingham Forest has taken a dramatic twist, and Arne Slot is not holding back. After that bruising defeat to Manchester City before the international break, the reigning Premier League champions are coming out swinging — and Slot has unleashed a lineup that screams aggression, creativity, and ruthless intent.
This isn’t just a response. This is a statement.
Slot has made five major changes to his starting XI, dropping big names and thrusting fresh firepower into the spotlight. If anyone thought Liverpool were shaken, this lineup proves they are fully prepared to hit back with force.
A FRONTLINE DESIGNED TO TERRIFY DEFENDERS
Alexander Isak leads the line like a man built for Premier League violence. His movement, his finishing, his cold-blooded composure — this is a striker who smells fear. Alongside him, Hugo Ekitike offers pace, unpredictability, and the willingness to run at defenders nonstop. And then there is Mohamed Salah — the Egyptian King himself — marching back into the XI with something to prove after a quiet night at the Etihad.
With these three, Forest’s backline won’t be sleeping tonight.
MIDFIELD MUSCLE AND CONTROL
Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai start together — a blend of height, control, energy, and dynamism. Gravenberch brings that smooth drive through midfield, while Szoboszlai supplies long-range threat and forward bursts that rip teams open.
This is the engine that Slot believes can dominate the game from start to finish.
ROBERTSON AND GAKPO DROPPED — SLOT MAKES HIS MESSAGE CLEAR
Andy Robertson sits out. Cody Gakpo sits out. This is not rotation — this is a wake-up call. Slot is demanding sharpness, hunger, and urgency. If you don’t bring that fire, you don’t start. Simple.
Kostas Tsimikas takes Robertson’s place, rewarded for his consistency and forward thrust. Luis Díaz occupies the left side of attack with instructions to torment Forest’s full-backs nonstop.
DEFENSIVE SHAKE-UP AFTER A MAJOR SETBACK
The biggest blow comes at right-back. Conor Bradley picked up an injury and is unavailable. This forces Slot to rearrange the backline once again. Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to the right side — and with that comes the expectation of creativity from deep.
The centre-back pairing remains strong, with Virgil van Dijk anchoring the defence like a wall refusing to crumble. His leadership will be crucial, especially with Forest known for counterattacking aggressively.
THE POTENTIAL LIVERPOOL XI VS NOTTINGHAM FOREST
GK: Alisson
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
CB: Virgil van Dijk
CB: Ibrahima Konaté
LB: Kostas Tsimikas
CM: Ryan Gravenberch
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai
RW: Mohamed Salah
ST: Alexander Isak
LW: Luis Díaz
ST: Hugo Ekitike
WHAT THIS LINEUP MEANS
This isn’t just an XI — it’s a warning shot.
Slot knows Forest are dangerous, but he’s not showing fear. He’s showing intent. This is a lineup built to dominate the ball, suffocate Forest’s midfield, and unleash wave after wave of pressure at Anfield.
The champions are wounded, but not broken.
On Saturday, Slot expects his team to send one message to the rest of the league:
Liverpool are still here — and still hungry for more.
