Dean Smith’s strategy to get his players in tip top shape for the run in included a midweek practice match at Championship promotion hopefuls Nottingham Forest.

The likes of fit-again Mathias Normann and Ozan Kabak got a chance to impress in a 2-0 win at the City Ground, and Smith revealed at his pre-match Liverpool press call on Friday he will give ‘three or four’ another run out at his old club Aston Villa next week in development action.

"I was mindful of the fact that a lot of players needed some minutes. They got the minutes on Tuesday,” he said. “Mathias had another 60 minutes so he's getting back to the levels he was at before he got injured, and nearing that start. Ozan (Kabak) played 90 minutes after his recent illness.”

Reds’ chief Steve Cooper used Norwich’s visit as preparation for a big Championship trip to Bournemouth on Friday.

“It was really good. I hope they’d say the same,” he said, quoted on the Nottingham Post. “It had been planned a while. I thought it was treated by both teams with the right attitude and respect.

“We certainly got a lot out of it, with match minutes, with performances and with some tactical things. It was definitely a productive day.”

Adam Idah’s season-ending knee surgery is a big pre-match blow for Smith ahead of the trip to Liverpool.

Idah’s Republic of Ireland team mate, Andrew Omobamidele, is no nearer a return from a persistent back issue.

“He hasn't actually managed to deal with the training load so far so we will go to see the consultant to get further guidance,” said Smith, who delivered a more positive bulletin on Tim Krul. “Tim's doing some ball work, some handling work.

"I think he's due to have another injection into the shoulder next day or so. He's coming along nicely. Lukas (Rupp) is back in rehabilitation as well. So we're hoping that he will join in with us next week.”

Fellow midfielder Jacob Sorensen (knee), like Krul, is not expected to return this month.