Liverpool team news: Predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest with Chiesa and Jota decisions

New manager Arne Slot will hope to continue his flawless start at Liverpool by taking maximum spoils at home to Nottingham Forest this afternoon (Saturday). The Dutchman has an almost complete squad to choose from after winning all three of his Premier League matches thus far.

But one notable absentee is Harvey Elliott, who is expected to miss the next few weeks with a fractured foot. His absence could pave the way for Federico Chiesa to make his debut in some capacity against Forest after his £12.5million move from Juventus.

Here, Express Sport takes you through how Slot is likely to set out his Liverpool side at Anfield…

Liverpool predicted XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Alisson

Though pressure on Slot to keep everyone happy has ramped up in the wake of back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher admitting he wants to leave the club, Alisson is one of the most accomplished stoppers in the Premier League, and his spot in the starting line-up is presumed safe.

Defence: Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson

Slot has not looked back since replacing Jarell Quansah with Ibrahima Konate halfway through his opening game at Ipswich Town. The French international has kept his place alongside Virgil van Dijk ever since, and the Reds are yet to concede a goal.

Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also nailed-on to start at full-back, even if Alexander-Arnold has seemed unhappy at being substituted in all three matches, and his deputy, Conor Bradley, is highly-rated.

Defensive midfield: Mac Allister, Gravenberch

Ryan Gravenberch has been one of the surprise packages of the season so far, excelling in a double pivot alongside Alexis Mac Allister after plodding through the last campaign under Jurgen Klopp. The pair dominated Manchester United two weeks ago and keeping them in place, ahead of Wataru Endo, is a no-brainer.

Attacking midfield: Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz

Chiesa is in contention to play against Forest but his debut is more likely to come from the bench than the start. The Italian has the stellar form of both Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz to thank for that, with the pair already at full tilt after exploding out of the blocks this campaign. Dominik Szoboszlai has found a new lease of life as a conventional No.10 in Slot’s 4-2-3-1 formation, and the Hungarian looks set to keep his spot this weekend.

Striker: Jota

Diogo Jota’s return of two goal contributions in three games is modest compared to Salah’s six and Diaz’s four, while the presence of fellow forwards Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez gives Slot a decision to make. But Jota is integral to the way Liverpool’s front-three functions, and naming an unchanged side would be logical for Slot given that Elliott is the only recent injury setback.