Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest preview: Storylines, odds, prediction as Reds try to maintain perfect start

Three straight wins to start the season. No goals conceded. A new manager hitting the ground running with only one major signing. A team looking sturdy in defence and lethal in attack. Even Arne Slot could not have predicted things would start this well at Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp was always going to be a tough act to follow. You could argue it was a challenge as difficult as David Moyes succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United after bringing eight trophies to Anfield. It might be too early to say so, but everything seems to be clicking into place so far.

Ahead of Nottingham Forest's visit this weekend, Liverpool have scored seven unanswered goals — all coming from their big hitters up front in Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota. Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have formed a sizzling midfield partnership that sets the tempo for the team's deadly counter attacks.

Liverpool tore Man United apart at Old Trafford last time out and Slot's fascinating post-match tactical debrief showed his in-depth coaching has been integral to the team's flying start to the season. "Their full-backs are sometimes really high and then Casemiro comes in between [the centre-backs]," the Dutchman said. "So if you pick the ball and you keep Luis Diaz and Mo Salah high you're constantly in a one-v-one situation."

Luck appears to be on Slot's side when it comes to injuries, too. Curtis Jones is back in training after missing the last two games. New signing Federico Chiesa is also working hard on his fitness and is in contention. Mac Allister picked up an injury scare for Argentina but has pulled through. There was no such luck for Harvey Elliott, however, who fractured his foot while playing for England's Under 21s.

It will be a tall order this weekend for Forest, who have won one and drawn two under Nuno Espirito Santo this season. The pace of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the wings can cause Liverpool real problems — as can the physical presence of Chris Wood up front.

Forest only have two injuries to contend with: defenders Danilo and Willy Boly, who are both set to be long-term absentees. The club have been through a lot in the last year: battling relegation, sacking Steve Cooper and facing a points deduction.

Now the team look like a more cohesive unit under Espirito Santo, yet this could be a tough afternoon for his players, especially given their unwanted record at Anfield. Forest haven't beaten the Reds there since February 1969, a run extending to 28 games, while Liverpool have managed at least three or more goals in each of their last five games against the Midlands outfit.

History also beckons for Slot. Should his side keep a clean sheet against Forest, he will be the first Liverpool manager to do so in his first four games in charge.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest odds

Odds updated as of 8 p.m. BST Friday.

Venue: Anfield — Liverpool Time:

Form guide

Liverpool: 3-0-0, 9 points (2nd); W-W-W Nottingham Forest: 1-2-0, 5 points (9th); D-W-D

Match prediction

Liverpool 4-1 Forest

Liverpool are flying and have real momentum and I expect that to continue at Anfield. If the Reds play the same way they did against United then they could put a few past Forest, though it's unrealistic to think Liverpool will stay perfect forever, so we could see the away side shock the home side at some point. Ultimately, Slot's side should have too much for them.

(Photo of Luis Diaz: Paul Ellis / AFP via )