 Born Preston, Lancashire, England, Forshaw played for both Nottm Forest and Middlesbrough in wartime matches before gaining his first professional contract at Liverpool in 1919.He made his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Arsenal at Highbury in a Division 1 fixture on 8 September 1919, he opened his account 12 days later at Villa Park when his 30th-minute strike was the only goal of the game against Aston Villa.Forshaw continued to find the net on a regular basis and his goals helped the Anfield club gain back-to-back titles in 1922 and 1923, he was an ever-present in the 84 championship matches and scored a remarkable 36 goals, his average was a respectable goal every 2⅓ games during this spell not at all bad for an inside-forward.