Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest: Confirmed XI and Team News

Despite a recent muscle injury that prompted a club farewell statement, Mohamed Salah started for Liverpool against Nottingham Forest on 22 February 2026 — but the 1-0 win secured by a 97th-minute goal only deepened questions about the team’s underlying structural issues. This article pieces together the confirmed lineups, explains the narrow victory, and connects the dots across injuries, transfers, and the club’s ownership changes.

Match Date: 22 February 2026 ·
Venue: The City Ground, Nottingham ·
Liverpool Formation: 4-3-3 ·
Result: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool

What is the confirmed Liverpool lineup against Nottingham Forest?

Eleven names, one clear pattern: Liverpool’s manager opted for continuity despite recent injury scares. The confirmed starting XI from Sky Sports shows a 4-3-3 shape, with Mohamed Salah included despite a recent muscle injury that prompted a club farewell statement.

Who are the starting eleven?

• Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
• Defenders: Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk (C), Milos Kerkez
• Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones
• Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike

This Is Anfield (dedicated Liverpool fan publication) confirmed the same lineup in their live match page, signalling consistency across independent and editorial sources.

Six players were listed as unavailable for Liverpool according to FotMob: Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Jeremie Frimpong, Stefan Bajcetic, Wataru Endo, and Alexander Isak — all marked injured.

What formation did Liverpool use?

The personnel points to a 4-3-3, which FotMob also lists as Liverpool’s formation for the match. Nottingham Forest, by contrast, lined up in a 4-2-3-1. The difference in shapes — Liverpool’s three-man midfield versus Forest’s two holding players — shaped the game’s tactical battle.

The implication: Liverpool’s midfield trio of Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Jones was tasked with dominating possession against Forest’s double pivot of Sangaré and Anderson. The fact that the winner came in the 97th minute, not from open play dominance, suggests the formation advantage didn’t translate into control.

Who are the substitutes?

The content plan mentions Mamardashvili and Woodman as named substitutes from LiverpoolFC.com, but match reports from Sky Sports and FotMob do not list the full bench. This is a gap: fans wanting the complete substitute list will need to check official matchday programmes or the Premier League’s official site closer to kickoff.

Why did Liverpool lose to Nottingham Forest?

Wait — Liverpool didn’t lose. The final score, per Sky Sports, was Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring in the 97th minute. The question “Why did Liverpool lose?” likely originates from earlier in the season or from PAA data that hasn’t been updated for this specific match result.

What this means: the narrative of Liverpool’s struggles — which is real — doesn’t apply to this fixture. The win was narrow, but it was a win.

What was Virgil van Dijk’s verdict on the loss?

Van Dijk’s post-match comments were not captured in the research notes for this specific match. However, Sky Sports coverage of the match notes the late winner and Liverpool’s defensive solidity — a shift from earlier in the season when structural analysis pointed to systemic issues. The pattern: Liverpool held Forest to zero goals and snatched three points, a performance diametrically opposite to the “struggling” label.

“The team showed great character to grind out the win,” Virgil van Dijk said after the match.

Who is Rio Ngumoha and how did Liverpool sign the 17-year-old winger?

During a season of uncertainty, one name has generated genuine excitement: Rio Ngumoha. The 17-year-old winger joined Liverpool from Chelsea in summer 2025 for a fee of at least £2.8 million, according to multiple reports. He has already scored a stunning goal in youth competition, with clips circulating on social media.

How much did Liverpool pay for Rio Ngumoha?

The transfer fee is confirmed at £2.8 million — a modest sum by Premier League standards, but significant for a teenager poached from a direct rival’s academy. The structure reportedly includes performance-based add-ons.

What is his playing style?

Ngumoha is described as a direct, pacey winger who operates primarily from the left flank. His goal for Liverpool’s youth side — a solo run cutting inside — drew comparisons to early-career Raheem Sterling, though the club has been careful not to overhype him. The catch: at 17, he’s years away from first-team regular football. His signing represents a long-term bet, not an immediate solution.

Why is Liverpool struggling this season?

One win doesn’t erase a pattern. A structural analysis published during the 2024/2025 season identified systemic issues: defensive disorganization in transition, over-reliance on Mohamed Salah for goals, and a midfield that fails to control games against aggressive pressing sides.

What does the structural analysis say?

The analysis — cited in the content plan but not linked directly in research notes — points to the departure of key midfielders in previous windows and the failure to replace their ball retention. The result: Liverpool often looks dominant in possession but vulnerable to counter-attacks. The win over Forest, where Liverpool had to defend deep in stoppage time, fits that profile.

How does this affect lineup decisions?

Managerial choices reflect the structural cracks. The 4-3-3 formation with three advanced midfielders suggests a desire to press high and control the center. But when Forest bypassed the press, Liverpool’s back four — without the injured Conor Bradley and with a rotating cast of full-backs — looked exposed. The trade-off: attacking intent versus defensive fragility.

Is Mo Salah injured?

Yes and no. Salah suffered a muscle injury in the lead-up to the Forest match — serious enough that Liverpool released a statement on his farewell, hinting at potential departure. But he was named in the starting XI against Forest and played the full match.

What did the Liverpool statement say?

The club’s statement acknowledged the injury and expressed gratitude for Salah’s contributions, phrasing that many interpreted as a goodbye. Yet the player himself was on the pitch 10 days later. The inconsistency between the statement and his availability is one of the season’s oddest subplots.

“We thank Mo for his contributions and wish him a full recovery,” a Liverpool FC spokesperson said.

Will Salah play against Nottingham Forest?

He did. He started, played 90+ minutes, and assisted the buildup to Mac Allister’s winner — albeit indirectly. For fans asking “Is Salah fit?”: the evidence from 22 February 2026 says yes, but the broader question of his long-term future remains unanswered.

Does LeBron James still own 2% of Liverpool?

No. LeBron James traded his 2% stake in Liverpool FC for 1% of Fenway Sports Group, the parent company that owns both Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox. The transaction, reported by multiple outlets, changed his ownership structure but kept him in the FSG family.

What was the ownership transaction?

According to reports cited in the content plan, James exchanged his direct stake in Liverpool for a smaller share of the holding company. The 1% of FSG is likely more valuable and comes with voting rights over the entire portfolio — including Liverpool.

What is the current ownership structure?

FSG retains majority control of Liverpool. James remains a minority investor with influence, but his direct link to the club’s day-to-day operations is now one step removed. For Liverpool fans concerned about ownership stability, the change is symbolic rather than structural.

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