Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Live: Lineups, Kickoff Time and Team News
Liverpool face Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday in the second round of the 2026/27 Premier League season, with both teams searching for their first league victory of the campaign.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 p.m. BST (5:00 p.m. IST). As of 4:42 p.m. IST, the game has not yet started.
Liverpool began the season with a 2-2 draw away to Newcastle United, while Forest lost 1-0 at home to Leeds United in their opening league match. Forest then suffered another defeat to Leeds, going down 2-0 in the Carabao Cup during the week.
For Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, this is his first competitive home match at Anfield. Forest are also beginning a new era under Oliver Glasner, making the fixture an early test for two teams still settling into new managerial regimes.
Confirmed Liverpool lineup
Liverpool’s starting XI is:
Alisson; Jeremie Frimpong, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister; Víctor Muñoz, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo; Alexander Isak.
Among the notable changes from Liverpool’s opening-day draw is the inclusion of Víctor Muñoz, while Ryan Gravenberch drops to the substitutes’ bench. Alexis Mac Allister returns to the starting midfield.
Liverpool’s bench includes Giorgi Mamardashvili, Ronald Araújo, Kostas Tsimikas, Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, Trey Nyoni, James McConnell, Rio Ngumoha and Rio Koumas.
Liverpool went into the match without several injured players. Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez remain unavailable, while Federico Chiesa has also been sidelined with a minor muscle injury. Iraola previously indicated that Jeremy Jacquet’s substitution against Newcastle was related to fatigue rather than a new injury.
Nottingham Forest lineup
Forest start with:
Matz Sels; Jair Cunha, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo; Ola Aina, Xaver Schlager, James McAtee, Neco Williams; Morgan Gibbs-White, Dan Ndoye, Igor Jesus.
New signing Liam Delap is among the substitutes rather than starting. Ryan Yates, who has returned from injury, is also on the bench.
Forest had been dealing with fitness concerns around several players during the week. Midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré was ruled out, while Gibbs-White became available after missing the midweek League Cup defeat to Leeds. Glasner had previously said Forest were working to get Gibbs-White fit for the Liverpool match after he suffered a knee problem.
Liverpool looking for a stronger start
Liverpool’s opening match under Iraola ended in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle. The Reds twice fell behind before Dominik Szoboszlai converted a late penalty to secure a point.
The result left Liverpool with one point from their opening fixture, but the performance also showed why Iraola has work to do. The team’s attacking options remain under scrutiny while injuries have reduced his choices in several positions.
The visit of Forest gives Liverpool an immediate opportunity to turn possession and attacking pressure into three points, although the visitors have recently shown that they can make life difficult for the Reds at Anfield.
The Premier League itself identified one of the central tactical questions before the game: whether Iraola’s Liverpool can break down Forest’s defensive shape. Forest defeated Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League last season.
Forest arrive after a difficult week
Forest’s start under Glasner has been more difficult.
They lost their opening Premier League match 1-0 to Leeds before suffering a second defeat against the same opponent in the Carabao Cup. They have therefore entered the Anfield match without a win and without a goal in either of those competitive fixtures.
Glasner will nevertheless have Gibbs-White available for the league game, while Delap provides another attacking option from the bench.
Liverpool’s defensive organisation will also be tested. Forest can look to counterattack and exploit spaces behind the home side, while Liverpool will expect to control possession and put pressure on a Forest side likely to defend in numbers.
How to watch Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest in India
The match kicks off at 5:00 p.m. IST on Saturday, August 29.
In India, broadcast listings show the fixture on Star Sports, with streaming available through JioHotstar.
Liverpool’s official match information confirms the 12:30 p.m. BST kickoff at Anfield and says the fixture is being broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK.
The Premier League’s official fixture schedule also confirms Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest as the 12:30 p.m. BST fixture on Saturday.
What happens next
The immediate objective is straightforward for both sides: three points.
Liverpool are seeking their first win under Iraola in the league after the Newcastle draw, while Forest need to halt a run of three competitive defeats across the opening stages of the campaign.
The confirmed lineups provide the clearest indication yet of how both managers intend to approach the game. Liverpool have opted for Muñoz alongside Wirtz, Gakpo and Isak in attack, while Forest have restored Gibbs-White to their starting side.
Kickoff at Anfield is set for 5:00 p.m. IST. The score remains 0-0 before kickoff as of the latest verification.
