It feels like we haven’t even blinked but already Liverpool are back in action. After the euphoria of Wembley, and then the ecstasy of Anfield on Wednesday, Liverpool return to Premier League action.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will take on Nottingham Forest. A team they should beat on paper. However, Forest will be playing at home. In a ground where many other top Premier League sides have struggled in as well.
On top of that, Klopp will be heading into the game with still injuries to several players. Although having Dominik Szoboszlai back in the squad, and Darwin Nunez as well could potentially be a huge boost. Both players trained with the first team squad and are in contention to be involved. However, others like Mohamed Salah are expected to miss out.
Meanwhile, injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Alisson Becker are thought to be more long-term. Diogo Jota’s return is also longer away.
Mikel Arteta’s warning about Taiwo Awoniyi
Liverpool will know well that the main threat for Nottingham Forest will be Taiwo Awoniyi. The Nigerian forward was obviously contracted to Liverpool for several years. He even trained with Jurgen Klopp’s first team. But then he left for pastures new.
On his first game against Liverpool, he scored Forest’s winner in the same fixture last season. A brilliant moment for him, but not so much for Liverpool.
Awoniyi has remained Forest’s main threat ever since. He’s one of the most prolific forwards in the Premier League, and has scored even against Arsenal recently. After that game, Mikel Arteta sent a stark warning about his quality describing Awoniyi as a ‘really dangerous’ player.
Now Liverpool have to heed that warning today. Awoniyi has the potential to cause a lot of problems and the defence has to deal with him appropriately.
