Stan Collymore tells Oliver Glasner to drop Nottingham Forest star for Liverpool clash — “They won’t beat Liverpool with him starting”
Stan Collymore has urged Nottingham Forest head coach Oliver Glasner to consider dropping Neco Williams for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool, arguing that the Wales international could leave Forest vulnerable against his former club.
The former Forest and Liverpool striker believes Glasner needs to make difficult selection decisions as he looks to secure his first victory since taking charge of the City Ground club.
Collymore’s warning is particularly striking given Williams’ history with Liverpool. The defender came through the club’s academy, made his senior debut at Anfield and spent several years in the Liverpool first-team setup before joining Forest permanently in 2022.
However, Collymore believes Glasner should put sentiment and familiarity aside when selecting his team for one of the most demanding away fixtures in English football.
“They won’t beat Liverpool with him starting,” Collymore has argued, placing Williams firmly at the centre of the pre-match selection debate.
Pressure mounting on Glasner
Glasner has endured a difficult start since taking over at Forest, with consecutive defeats against Leeds United leaving the manager searching for a response.
The first setback came in the Premier League before Forest suffered another defeat against Leeds in the Carabao Cup. Those results have immediately increased the importance of the trip to Anfield.
A positive result against Liverpool would provide Glasner with valuable breathing space and, more importantly, give his players belief in the tactical approach he is trying to introduce.
But another defeat would leave Forest facing difficult questions about their start under the Austrian coach.
Williams is therefore one of several selection decisions Glasner must consider carefully.
The 25-year-old offers experience, energy and attacking ability from the wide areas, qualities that can be particularly useful in a system requiring wing-backs to contribute at both ends of the pitch.
The problem is that Liverpool can punish even small defensive mistakes.
Why Williams could be vulnerable
Liverpool’s ability to create overloads in wide areas means Forest’s wing-backs will have a difficult afternoon if the home side dominate possession.
Williams could be required to spend long periods defending before immediately switching into an attacking role when Forest regain the ball.
That physical and tactical responsibility could become even more demanding at Anfield.
Glasner must decide whether Williams’ attacking contribution outweighs the defensive risks or whether another option would provide greater security.
The decision is complicated by Williams’ Liverpool background.
Having played at Anfield and developed within Liverpool’s academy, he understands the environment better than most visiting players. That experience could work in Forest’s favour.
At the same time, his familiarity with Liverpool means his performance is likely to receive additional attention.
A strong display could demonstrate why Glasner continues to trust him. A poor performance, however, would inevitably intensify the criticism surrounding his selection.
Forest have attacking reinforcements
Glasner has also received significant support in the transfer market.
Forest recently completed the signing of Liam Delap from Chelsea in a deal reportedly worth £45 million, potentially rising to £50 million.
The striker could provide Glasner with an additional attacking option as Forest attempt to threaten Liverpool on the counter-attack.
Forest’s approach at Anfield is likely to require efficiency rather than possession for possession’s sake. The visitors could find opportunities if they remain compact and quickly exploit the space behind Liverpool’s defensive line.
There are nevertheless concerns elsewhere in the squad.
Morgan Gibbs-White’s fitness remains an issue, while Ryan Yates is unavailable, leaving Glasner with important decisions to make before finalising his starting XI.
Liverpool facing questions too
Liverpool will enter the match with their own issues to resolve.
Andoni Iraola’s first Premier League match in charge ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Newcastle United. Liverpool appeared to be heading towards victory after taking a two-goal lead, only for Newcastle to fight back.
Dominik Szoboszlai eventually rescued a point for Liverpool with a late penalty.
Iraola will now be preparing for his first competitive home fixture at Anfield and will be determined to give supporters a performance that demonstrates his ideas are beginning to take shape.
Liverpool are also adapting to significant changes within their squad, while injury concerns have added another complication to the manager’s preparations.
That could give Forest encouragement.
Glasner’s side will know they are not facing an opponent that has everything perfectly settled.
Forest know how to hurt Liverpool
Forest also have recent history to draw confidence from.
The club have already shown that Liverpool can be beaten at Anfield, meaning Glasner’s players should not travel believing the result is predetermined.
The challenge will be reproducing the organisation, discipline and counter-attacking threat required to cause another major upset.
That is why the Williams debate matters.
If Glasner believes the defender can provide enough defensive discipline while also helping Forest transition quickly into attack, retaining him could prove the logical decision.
But if the manager believes Liverpool can repeatedly exploit Williams’ side of the pitch, leaving him out could represent a calculated tactical move rather than a criticism of the player.
All eyes on Glasner’s team sheet
Ultimately, the decision rests with Glasner.
The Forest manager must balance experience, attacking threat and defensive security against an opponent capable of exposing weaknesses within minutes.
For Williams, meanwhile, Saturday represents a major opportunity.
A commanding performance against his former club could silence the doubts surrounding his selection and strengthen his position within Glasner’s plans.
But if Liverpool dominate the contest and Forest struggle defensively, Collymore’s warning will inevitably return to the spotlight.
That makes the team sheet almost as intriguing as the match itself.
Forest desperately need a result, while Glasner needs evidence that his methods can deliver under pressure.
At Anfield, the decision over whether Neco Williams starts could become one of the most closely watched tactical calls of the weekend.
