As the Premier League fixture list brings Nottingham Forest and Liverpool together on February 22, 2026, the match carries significant stakes for both sides. Nottingham Forest, languishing in 17th place with 27 points from 26 games, are embroiled in a relegation battle while also managing commitments in the UEFA Europa League. In contrast, Liverpool, sixth in the standings with 42 points from the same number of matches, are pushing to climb the table and challenge for a top spot, trailing the leaders closely.
Recent form highlights the challenges ahead for both teams. Nottingham Forest have struggled for consistency, drawing 0-0 with Wolves on February 11, losing 1-3 to Leeds on February 6, drawing 1-1 with Crystal Palace on February 1, winning 2-0 against Brentford on January 25, and drawing 0-0 with Arsenal on January 17. Liverpool, meanwhile, show a mix of results with a 0-1 win over Sunderland on February 11, a 1-2 loss to Manchester City on February 8, a 4-1 victory against Newcastle on January 31, a 2-3 defeat to Bournemouth on January 24, and a 0-0 draw with Arsenal on January 12. This suggests Liverpool might have an edge in attacking play, though both sides have defensive resilience.
Key players could influence the outcome, but injuries pose problems for both squads. For Nottingham Forest, Morgan Gibbs-White stands out as their top scorer with six goals, though the team will miss John Victor, Chris Wood, Matz Sels, Nicolo Savona, and Willy Boly due to knee and other injuries, with Murillo at 50% fitness due to a calf issue. Liverpool boast strong options in Hugo Ekitike, who has netted 10 league goals, and Mohamed Salah, a consistent performer among the league's top scorers. However, they are without Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo, Alexander Isak, and Jeremie Frimpong due to various injuries, which could affect their depth.
Head-to-head encounters favor Liverpool based on recent meetings. In their last three Premier League clashes, Liverpool secured a 3-0 win on November 22, 2025, drew 1-1 on January 14, 2025, and won 1-0 on September 14, 2024. This history, combined with Liverpool's higher league position and slightly better recent results, might see them employing a more aggressive tactical approach, while Nottingham Forest could focus on defensive solidity to counterattack.
Looking ahead, Liverpool's form and historical dominance could give them a slight advantage, but with both teams dealing with absences, the result is far from certain. Nottingham Forest might draw confidence from home games, but Liverpool are likely to edge proceedings if they capitalize on their attacking threats. A draw seems possible, though Liverpool could lean towards a narrow victory given the balance of factors.
