Liverpool have been warned that Nottingham Forest won’t make things easy when the two sides meet, with the opposition manager praising Oliver Glasner’s work since arriving at the City Ground.
The Forest boss has only been in charge for a short time, but his team’s shape has already stood out. Liverpool’s manager believes that Forest could make Saturday’s game a frustrating one for his side.
“[Oliver Glasner] has been very successful. You can see, straight away, the shape and they don’t concede a lot of chances.”
Liverpool expecting a tough Nottingham Forest test
The Liverpool boss pointed back to Forest’s opening Premier League game against Leeds United as an example.
“The other day against Leeds was a very tight game, with not a lot of chances. Leeds won because they scored a free-kick in the 90th minute. But, probably, Forest had more chances than Leeds, until that moment,” Iraola said.
Forest may have lost both of their opening matches against Leeds, but they haven’t been easy to play against.
Liverpool will need to work for openings rather than expect them to appear.
“We will have to earn every chance. They don’t give you anything for free.”
The manager also expects Forest to be a threat when they win the ball back.
“You have to be very good on the ball and be patient, because defensively they are very solid. We have to control those situations, especially in the transitions, because they have good threats on the counter.”
The midfield battle will be particularly important. Liverpool will need to avoid giving Forest the space to break forward while also finding a way through their defence.
Forest will go into the game still looking for their first win under Glasner. Liverpool, meanwhile, know they are facing a tough side to beat.
