The Friedkin Group, Everton‘s American owners, will be risking the fury of their own fanbase should they agree to the sale of Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest.
The notion that Everton could even consider parting with Armstrong sparked an instant reaction of disbelief and anger among supporters, with the teenager regarded as their brightest home-grown prospect for years and a big hope for the future.
As yet, there are no indications that Everton will accept an offer, but Forest’s interest is real, although it would be a real coup should they pull it off.
It would also send out worrying signals about the scale of TFG’s ambitions.
Manager David Moyes has been frustrated by the club’s lack of incoming transfer activity this summer.
Moyes made it abundantly clear after Wednesday’s 4-0 Carabao Cup second-round win at Championship side Preston that he wanted reinforcements.
His hope was that TFG would provide backing for further arrivals.
Since then, however, Everton‘s main creator Iliman Ndiaye has been heavily linked with Manchester City, and now Forest are ready to test their resolve over Armstrong.
How Moyes would view, or indeed explain, such a sale, would be intriguing. It would appear totally at odds with his stated intention of building a better squad.
And while Everton and their support may have to accept their prize assets being spirited away by clubs such as Manchester City, the idea that their most promising young player could be taken away by Nottingham Forest – a club they would be expecting to challenge or even surpass – may be harder to stomach.
That is why the manner in which Everton handle Forest’s approach for Armstrong, who has already excelled this season, may be a defining moment for TFG and Moyes.
Who: Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest What:English Premier League Where: Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom When: Saturday, August 29, at 12:30pm (11:30 GMT) How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will bring you all the buildup from 08:30 GMT ahead of our live text commentary stream
Both sides are looking for their first wins of the season, as Liverpool host Forest at Anfield.
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Liverpool struggled in their first competitive game under new boss Andoni Iraola, although they battled to come back from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle.
The Reds are still hoping to bolster their rather threadbare squad and are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign French forward Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.
Meanwhile, Forest have lost their first two games of the season as they begin a new era under coach Oliver Glasner.
Forest lost both games at home to Leeds – the first a 1-0 defeat in their opening league game last weekend, the second a 2-0 midweek loss in the League Cup.
So both teams will be very eager to find their form at Anfield and get back to winning ways.
Iraola hoping for ‘good news soon’ in transfer market
Liverpool’s new boss said on Thursday it is no secret the club are in the hunt for more wingers after reports that the Reds are edging closer to a deal for Barcola.
Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr as potential recruits to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah’s departure.
“We cannot talk about players that right now are not ours, but it is evident that we are trying to improve or try to fill that position because we don’t have the numbers,” Iraola told a pre-match news conference ahead of his home debut against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
“I hope we have good news soon but we are still not there.”
The arrival of French international Barcola could lead to Cody Gakpo’s exit from Anfield.
The Dutchman, who scored in Iraola’s first match in charge in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle last weekend, is reportedly a target for Manchester City and Tottenham.
“When the market is open, you cannot guarantee anything with anyone. You never know who’s going to arrive,” Iraola added when asked about Gakpo’s future.
“I would like to know how the market finishes but I don’t know what will happen with any of our players. I cannot guarantee anything.”
Iraola expresses his frustration to a match official during the draw at Newcastle on Sunday [Molly Darlington/Getty Images]
‘I’m no magician’: Glasner already feeling the heat
The Austrian expressed frustration with the recruitment situation at his new club after their second defeat to Leeds, saying that Forest had “ignored reality” after losing at home to Leeds for the second time in a matter of days.
“The fact is that this team had a relegation battle for nine months. Very turbulent season and it ended with a huge effort to stay in the league, and this is our starting point,” he said.
“It’s really very important not to blame anybody because sometimes I tell them facts and they say, ‘Oh, Glasner is complaining’.
“No, no, no. But [our] best midfielder [Elliot Anderson] leaves the club and now we expect we compete for European places because Oliver Glasner is in. Sorry, this is what I can’t deliver within six weeks.
“I’m no magician, no messiah, just hard work. That is what we have to do.”
Glasner should at least be pleased that Forest broke the club’s transfer record on Thursday to sign the talented, but out-of-favour young striker Liam Delap from Chelsea for a reported 45 million pounds ($61m).
Glasner during the League Cup defeat to Leeds United at the City Ground [David Rogers/Getty Images]
Prediction
The Opta supercomputer has made Liverpool the favourites, with a win probability of 61.1 percent. Forest were given a 18.2 percent chance of winning, while a draw was estimated at a 20.7 percent likelihood.
Head-to-head
They have faced each other 124 times; Liverpool winning 61, Forest 33 and 30 draws.
Last five encounters:
February 22, 2026: Forest 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
November 22, 2025: Liverpool 0-3 Forest (Premier League)
January 14, 2025: Forest 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
September 14, 2024: Liverpool 0-1 Forest (Premier League)
March 02, 2024: Forest 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
What happened when Liverpool and Forest last played?
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister struck the winner deep into stoppage-time as his side snatched a scarcely-deserved 1-0 win at Forest in the Premier League in February.
After a pedestrian 90 minutes in which they barely managed a shot on target, Mac Allister lit the fuse with a stoppage-time effort that was ruled out for handball before rifling home a rebound in the 97th minute to grab the win.
Mac Allister celebrates scoring the late winner for Liverpool at the the City Ground [Chris Radburn/Reuters]
Liverpool’s team news
The Reds are missing a number of long-term casualties, including forward Hugo Ekitike, who is recovering from an Achilles injury, as well as right-back Conor Bradley and centre-back Giovanni Leoni, who have knee issues.
Defender Joe Gomez remains sidelined due to a muscle injury.
Alexander Isak is again likely to play at centre forward, with Florian Wirtz playing behind him in the number 10 role. Cody Gakpo is set to play on the left wing, despite reported interest from other clubs.
Victor Munoz impressed when he came off the bench against Newcastle, and may start out on the right wing in place of Rio Ngumoha.
Defender Nicolo Savona has been ruled out after a setback in his return from a knee problem, while injured midfielder Ryan Yates is also set to miss out.
Full-back Neco Williams and playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White are both doubts due to knocks, although Forest are hopeful that both key players will be fit in time.
Predicted starting XI:
Sels (goalkeeper); Cunha, Milenkovic, Murillo; Aina, McAtee, Sangare, Netz; Gibbs-White, Ndoye; Jesus
After leading Leeds to safety, Farke had threatened to quit, saying he is “not the right choice” to lead the club if they fail to match his ambition in the summer.
The club hierarchy listened and backed the German in the transfer market in the summer, investing about £80m on new arrivals.
Three of them started for Leeds in their season opener and encouragingly for Farke offered early signs of promise.
Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic not only put in a solid shift in defence but also proved he is a weapon from set-pieces as he tested Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels with a towering header at the other end.
Harry Wilson, who signed for free after 10 goals and seven assists for Fulham last season, almost marked his debut with a goal before he was denied by the offside flag.
“From the very first minute they walked into the building, they have shown their quality,” Ampadu said.
“They have shown why they have been brought in to try and help us get to the next level. They’ve shown that hunger and drive to take Leeds to a better place so that has been very good.”
Farke also echoed his captain’s sentiments, saying: “I am very happy because they have big boots to fill.
“Trafford is a good player but he hasn’t played that many Premier League games, Tarik too. So they both shined and showed why we agreed to sign them, but the whole group was excellent today.
“Wilson too was excellent. The vibe and mood is good around the place,” said Farke, who is now the third-longest-serving manager in the league after Arsenal‘s Mikel Arteta and Aston Villa‘s Unai Emery.
With new arrivals making an immediate impact and old faces such as Stach continuing to deliver the goods, Leeds have every reason to believe this season could be their best yet under Farke.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke reacts to his side’s 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest, sealed by Anton Stach’s free‑kick in the opening game of their 2026-27 Premier League season.
The 29-year-old joins Coventry before Friday’s Premier League opener at champions Arsenal, with the club returning to the top flight after a 25-year absence.
Awoniyi was given a guard of honour by the Forest squad and staff before the second half of their final pre-season friendly against Brest on Sunday to allow him to say goodbye at the City Ground, where he spent the past four seasons.
“He was probably one of the loveliest guys I’ve met, always friendly, always smiling,” said Forest boss Oliver Glasner, after a 2-0 win over the Ligue 1 side.
“Everybody in the club likes him and I could see everybody in the stand likes him because this is what everybody appreciates.
“He always gives 100% for the team, he always gives 100% for the bench, and that’s why he deserves such a farewell, such a guard of honour. That’s why we decided we would give it to him and I wish him all the best at his next club, just not when they play us.”
Awoniyi became Forest’s record signing at the time when he joined from Union Berlin in 2022 for £17.2m.
He scored 23 goals in 103 games for Forest but has been behind Chris Wood and Igor Jesus in the pecking order and was left out of last season’s Europa League squad.
Awoniyi started just three games last season, scoring four goals in 17 appearances in all competitions.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis said: “Taiwo will always have a special place in the history of Nottingham Forest. He has been one of the defining figures in our journey and given our supporters moments of great joy that will never be forgotten.”
Winger Loum Tchaouna has joined from Burnley, defender Aurele Amenda arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt and Ghana international Caleb Yirenkyi signed from Nordsjaelland.
Striker Haji Wright is injured, with Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ellis Simms the current fit striking options for manager Frank Lampard before the Arsenal game.
