02 March 2024 , 08:00
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Nuno Tavares will be hoping Nottingham Forest can pick up a much-needed win against Liverpool later today, having not fared well against the Reds since making the move to the Premier League in 2021.
Tavares has played twice against Liverpool and been an unused substitute on three other occasions, with the Reds winning four of those games and the fifth ending in a 0-0 draw.
His first appearance against Jurgen Klopp's side came back in November 2021 for Arsenal, with Liverpool beating the Gunners 4-0 after Tavares made a costly error that led to Diogo Jota scoring the second goal of the game.
The result was particularly galling for Tavares, who had spoken confidently in the build-up to the game about Arsenal's chances. "We are confident about going to Anfield and winning the game with a clean sheet or not," Tavares told Sky Sports.
"We want to win the game and more importantly than a clean sheet, get the three points. Arsenal is a big club with big players. It is normal for us to win games. For us, we want to be in the top one.
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"I don't know why people are so surprised. People need to understand we are Arsenal and we need to win games to reach our objectives. We want to be number one, obviously. We need to give this to our fans because they deserve it because every time we play, they are with us.
"With the fans behind us, we have more confidence to win every game, home or away. Liverpool is a big step, but we play for Arsenal. We need to be ready for every game in the Premier League."
Tavares first faced Liverpool in 2021 (AFP via Getty Images)Tavares has not made an appearance for Arsenal since his first season at the Emirates, having spent last season on loan at Marseille and this season on loan at Forest. However, Tavares is set to miss today's game through injury.
"Nuno Tavares is injured so we had to make a decision," Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo revealed ahead of his side's game against Aston Villa last weekend. "He was playing good and it is unfortunate that the injury came at a good moment for him and team.
"But Moussa [Niakhate] is ready to do the job. Football matches are never the same, they don't repeat themselves so today is going to be a new one."
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