Pereira has his answer to Liverpool’s Mo Salah in £60m Nottingham Forest star

As Nottingham Forest left Turkey with a commanding 3-0 lead over Fenerbahce in the first leg of their Conference League play-off tie, Murillo admitted that Vitor Pereira has sparked the “winning spirit” at the club following struggles under Ange Postecoglou and then Sean Dyche.

Of course, we’re only one game into the new chapter at the City Ground, but Pereira’s plan to reunite the dressing room as one appears to have started with promise, the players buying into his vision.

However, a Premier League test against struggling champions Liverpool awaits, and while Forest have only lost one of their past six matches in the division, poor, uninspiring performances have left fans at a low ebb.

How Forest could line up vs Liverpool

Pereira went strong for Nottingham Forest’s European tie in midweek. There’s a lot on the line in the Premier League, but to throw this rare shot at European silverware would be to dent hopes of creating a bond with the supporters right from the get-go.

Against Liverpool, Pereira is unlikely to field too many changes. He’s a positive manager, we can see that already. He will not entrench his system in deep defensive security at the expense of positive attacking play.

Expect an unchanged backline, with Stefan Ortega reprising his role between the sticks in the absence of the injured Matz Sels. Nicolas Dominguez could also come in for Ibrahim Sangare in the centre of the park.

However, Forest know how to defend, and it’s the frontline who must ensure they are sharp enough to conquer a Liverpool backline who have suffered from so many faults this season. In this, Pereira has to get it right.

It’s not going to be easy. Arne Slot’s side have improved recently, and Forest cannot expect another walkover, as occurred at Anfield in November.

The forwards will need to be on their A-game once again, and Pereira must unleash his own version of Mohamed Salah.

Pereira must unleash Forest’s answer to Salah

Salah is past his best, but he’s still a highly dangerous force in and around the penalty area. Nullifying him will prove a milestone in the battle for three points.

But Pereira needs his forwards to prove themselves sharper than the prolific Egyptian, and Omari Hutchinson may view this one as a game in which he can step up and prove his worth.

Hutchinson joined Forest from Ipswich Town for £37.5m after the Tractor Boys’ relegation from the Premier League last season. He is a fast and technical winger, hailed as a “special talent” by Chelsea insider Felix Johnston as he came through the ranks at Cobham.

It’s been a somewhat difficult campaign for the wideman, who has played 26 times in all competitions for the City Ground side but has only scored once, registering six assists too. Even so, there’s no questioning his potential, with Evangelos Marinakis setting a £60m price tag for any suitors who may be eyeing a move for the talented prospect.

He didn’t score or assist against Fenerbahce in the Europa League, but the 22-year-old showcased immense creative quality on the continental stage, creating five chances for his teammates.

Having been praised in the past for having the potential to become Chelsea’s new Salah, having been developed as a potent left-footed winger on the right side.

He hasn’t hit the 33-year-old’s heights, but Salah was 25 years old when he left Roma and returned to the Premier League to play under Jurgen Klopp, and there’s every chance that Hutchinson can make the necessary gains to become a superstar.

With both Liverpool and Forest utilising width in the Premier League this season, someone like Hutchinson will need to step up and prove himself a hero for his side.

Salah will be aiming for the same, but for Hutchinson to trump him on Sunday would be a significant show of intent.

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