Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool: Tense Premier League Clash at City Ground

Nottingham Forest hosted Liverpool in a crucial Premier League match on February 22, 2026, at the City Ground, with both teams chasing vital points. Forest, sitting 17th with 27 points from 26 games (7 wins, 6 draws, 13 losses), fought to escape relegation trouble, while Liverpool, 6th with 42 points (12-6-8), aimed for a top-five finish and Champions League spots.[1][3][4]

New Forest manager Vitor Pereira sought a "new manager bounce" after a 3-0 upset win over Liverpool at Anfield in November, replicating a shock result against Fenerbahce. Liverpool, under Arne Slot, entered off a 1-0 win against Sunderland but with a thin bench featuring only Robertson, Gomez, and Chiesa for experience. Injury concerns hit early: Florian Wirtz was subbed by Curtis Jones after a warm-up issue.[4][6]

Match Action and Dominance

Forest dominated early, firing seven of the first nine shots in 26 minutes. Morgan Gibbs-White (6 goals, FotMob rating 6.94) was pivotal, earning a central free-kick, while Callum Hudson-Odoi missed a close-range chance past Alisson Becker after Ibrahima Sangare's pass. Liverpool's attack, led by Hugo Ekitike (10 goals), Mohamed Salah (6 assists), and Florian Wirtz (45 chances created), struggled—Salah, Ekitike, and Gakpo had touches matching or below keeper Stefan Ortega's 18 in stoppage time.[2][4]

Key Stats and Odds

• Forest leaders: Gibbs-White (6G, 2A), E. Anderson (40 chances), Omari Hutchinson (3A).[2][3]
• Liverpool leaders: Ekitike (10G), Salah (6A), Virgil van Dijk (6.4 rating).[3]
• Odds: Forest +285, Draw +275, Liverpool -110 (over/under 2.5 goals -146).[2][3]
• Clean sheets: Forest 9, Liverpool 8 (Alisson 6).[3]

Liverpool needed a win to avoid a season sweep by Forest. Previews predicted a 0-2 Reds victory, but Forest's revitalized play suggested a breakthrough late on, keeping the LIVE Sky Sports coverage gripping.[4][6]

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