Nottingham Forest could be without five players for Liverpool clash

Latest Liverpool injury news as Jurgen Klopp prepares to face Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest who are also dealing with several key players being unavailable through injury

Liverpool may play Nottingham Forest, who are without a number of players due to injuries.

Due to injuries, many Reds players are out of the lineup, forcing Jurgen Klopp to give academy players first-team opportunities. In Wednesday night’s 3-0 FA Cup victory over Southampton, Jayden Danns, Jarell Quansah, Lewis Koumas, Bobby Clark, James McConnell, and Trey Nyoni were among the players that contributed.

The focus will now shift to Saturday’s Premier League matchup against Forest. When Klopp addresses the media on Friday, he’s probably going to give an update on the injured players.

Andy Robertson was not in the lineup for Liverpool’s match against Southampton because of illness, leaving 14 players out of the lineup. Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, Alisson Becker, Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic, and Ben Doak were among the other players sidelined by injuries.

Forest themselves are dealing with injury issues heading into Saturday’s game at the City Ground. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo gave a press conference on Thursday where he provided an update on his squad ahead of the clash against the Reds.

Ola Aina

Full-back Ola Aina is recovering from a muscle injury he sustained while playing for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Aina has missed Forest’s last six Premier League games and has not played for the club since December 30 against Manchester United. He is not expected to be part of the matchday squad to face Liverpool, with Espirito Santo saying in his press conference that the defender has had “more problems” in his recovery.

Status: Unavailable.

Ibrahim Sangare

Midfielder Ibrahim Sangare has been recovering from a knee injury he sustained while on international duty with the Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Sangare has not featured for Forest since Boxing Day, but Espirito Santo says the midfielder is “closer” to a return. It remains to be seen if he will be available to face Liverpool on Saturday.

Status: Possible return vs Liverpool.

Chris Wood

Striker Chris Wood has been dealing with a hamstring injury since the end of January.

Wood was expected to be sidelined for up to two months as he recovers from the injury. Espirito Santo said on Thursday Wood is “getting closer” to a return, but did not say if he would be available to face the Reds.

Status: Possible return vs Liverpool.

Nuno Tavares

Left-back Nuno Tavares has missed Forest’s last two matches with an unspecified injury, which he picked up against West Ham on February 17.

He is set for a spell on the sidelines and is not expected to make a return in time to feature against Liverpool. Espirito Santo also said Tavares has had “more problems” with his recovery.

Status: Unavailable.

Willy Boly

Defender Willy Boly returned to Nottingham with a muscle injury he sustained while on international duty with the Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Espirito Santo says Boly is in the “final days of his recovery”, but would not say if the centre-back would be available to face the Reds.

Status: Possible return vs Liverpool.

What Nuno has said

Asked if players will return at the weekend following the 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: “I’m not sure. Some players are in the final part of their recovery, so let’s see.

“Ibrahim is closer. Chris Wood is also closer. Ola and Nuno, more problems. Boly is also in the final days of his recovery.

“We have to focus on the next game, and the next game is a tough one. It will require a lot of energy from us. Now it is important to recover well, then work and prepare well.