Arne Slot insisted that Liverpool are not fazed by Nottingham Forest's change in head coach ahead of their trip to the City Ground on Sunday.

The Reds are currently three points off the Premier League top four in sixth, and followed up a 1-0 win over Sunderland with a 3-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Brighton.

Liverpool lost 3-0 in the reverse fixture to Forest at Anfield in what was one of Sean Dyche's first few games in charge.

With Vitor Pereira now at the helm, and starting his reign with a 3-0 win over Fenerbahce, Slot anticipates a different challenge.

"Back then [in November], they were in a different management as well, because I think it was Sean Dyche's third or fourth game," said Slot.

"That sometimes makes it a little bit more difficult because we only have tonight to see if this manager changes personnel, changes tactics.

"The good thing is that there is still one game to be played before we play them, and we, of course, know him because he worked last season in the Premier League as well.

"So, we know what we can expect if we play Forest because I've played them three times already."

This will be Pereira’s first league game in charge of Nottingham Forest. The last six Forest managers have lost their first Premier League game at the club, with Dave Bassett the last to avoid that fate in March 1997 (1-0 versus Tottenham).

Pereira's side were very dominant against Fenerbahce in the Europa League, with the former Wolves boss able to rest key players at 3-0 up.

Morgan Gibbs-White was one of the scorers in that win, and he explained why they made a good start under Pereira.

"His message to us is that we will have a real identity how we play and defend as a team. We have all bought into what he wants straight away," Gibbs-White told TNT Sports after the win.

"It is about keep learning off each other and take it game by game.

"We have been going through a difficult time. Confidence is the main thing, and [that result] will boost confidence. We just have to stay together and be the most complete team."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nottingham Forest – Morgan Gibbs-White

Murillo, Nicolo Savona and Gibbs-White were on target for Forest in their 3-0 win against Liverpool in November.

Only two Forest players have scored home and away goals against the Reds in a Premier League campaign – Dougie Freedman in 1998-99 and Steve Stone in 1995-96.

Liverpool – Mohamed Salah

Against Sunderland last time out, Mohamed Salah recorded his 92nd Premier League assist for Liverpool, the joint-most of any player for the club, tying Steven Gerrard.

The Egyptian, however, has neither scored nor assisted in his two appearances at the City Ground in the competition, one of just two venues he has played at more than once in the league for Liverpool without a goal involvement (also three appearances at Bramall Lane).

MATCH PREDICTION – LIVERPOOL WIN

Liverpool have won just three of their last 11 Premier League away games (D3 L5). However, they did end Sunderland's unbeaten home run last time out, and are looking to win consecutively on the road for the first time since September.

Forest have failed to score in 12 Premier League games this season, with only bottom side Wolves failing to net in more. Two of Forest's last five Premier League games have finished 0-0, as many goalless draws as in their previous 124 games in the competition.

Forest have drawn each of their last three home league games. They last had four consecutive draws at the City Ground in November-December 1998, the last time they were relegated from the Premier League.

Liverpool have won just one of their last 15 away league games against Forest (D8 L6), beating them 1-0 in March 2024 thanks to a late Darwin Nunez strike.

Forest are also unbeaten in their last three league games against Liverpool (W2 D1), last having a longer run against them between September 1962 and September 1963 (W3 D1).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nottingham Forest – 27.7%

Draw – 24.1%

Liverpool – 48.2%