Joe Worrall and Ryan Yates stand in Liverpool's way after pestering Roy Keane and driving a coach mad

When Nottingham Forest's players line up against Liverpool on Sunday evening, two of the men charged with stopping one of Europe's best teams scoring will have been with the club since they were boys.

Injuries to Steve Cook and Scott McKenna could see Ryan Yates drop back into a three man defence alongside Joe Worrall and Tobias Figuerido.

Across the pitch, Mo Salah, Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane could be looking back. If Salah isn't fit then Luis Diaz, Roberto Firmino or Divock Origi could come in.

It is a far cry from their academy days when both wondered if they would ever make the grade at the City Ground.

Back then, Yates was known as Giggsy, according to former academy director Nick Marshall, although he jokes it was because of his first name and not his playing style.

Nonetheless, Yates has evolved and is in the form of his life having just signed a new contract at Forest.

With eight goals to his name this season, Marshall, who left his role at Forest when Yates was in the Under-15s, sees a potential Premier League midfielder when he plays in his favoured position.

"I was down at the Forest training ground a few months ago with some of our younger groups and it was good to catch up with him," the current Liverpool assistant academy director said on the latest Garibaldi Red podcast.

"What a terrific boy. There was never any doubt he would fulfil his potential whatever that might be because of his attitude and the way he wanted to learn.

"There were stories when Roy Keane was there he was pestering him with questions. He was the same in the academy.

"You want kids like that to thrive because they deserve it. I'm made up for him.

"He's got eight goals in a tough league. If that's 10 or 12 come the end of the season,