Alexis Mac Allister scored in the seventh minute of stoppage time as Liverpool edged Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground to boost their Champions League push.
Liverpool claimed a dramatic 1-0 Premier League victory away to Nottingham Forest thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Alexis Mac Allister. The decisive moment arrived in the 97th minute at the City Ground. It ended a match that had offered little goalmouth action for long spells. For Liverpool, it was a vital win in the race for European qualification.
Forest were the brighter side early on and fed off a lively home crowd. Liverpool looked unsettled from the opening minutes and struggled to keep possession. The visitors were also forced into a late change before kick-off. Florian Wirtz was injured in the warm-up and replaced by Curtis Jones.
The home side started with intensity and purpose. Callum Hudson-Odoi had the best early chance after breaking in behind the defence. Alisson reacted sharply to block his effort at close range. Elliot Anderson also threatened, sending a low drive just wide.
Forest controlled midfield territory through Ibrahim Sangare and Anderson. Liverpool barely ventured into the final third. They recorded only three touches inside the Forest penalty area before the interval. By half-time, the score remained 0-0, despite Forest registering 12 shots.
Liverpool showed slightly more composure in the second half. Jones went close in the 54th minute after Mohamed Salah headed a deep cross into his path. Stefan Ortega stuck out a foot to keep the ball out. It was Liverpool’s first shot on target.
Forest continued to pose problems of their own. Nikola Milenkovic headed narrowly wide from a set piece. Vitor Pereira responded by refreshing his attack in search of a winner. The game drifted toward a draw as fatigue set in.
The contest exploded into life deep into added time. Ortega first made a fine save to deny Hugo Ekitike’s header. Ola Aina attempted to clear but the ball ricocheted off Mac Allister and into the net. VAR ruled the goal out for handball.
Liverpool did not retreat. Moments later, Virgil van Dijk’s downward header was again saved by Ortega. This time Mac Allister reacted quickest, bundling the rebound over the line. A lengthy VAR check confirmed Van Dijk was onside and the goal stood.
Forest finished with more shots overall, especially in the first half. Liverpool ended the match with 1.76 expected goals to Forest’s lower return of 1.19. Mac Allister scored with his only effort on target. It was his first league goal after a long drought.
Alisson’s early saves proved crucial. Van Dijk’s presence told late on. Liverpool have now scored 48 Premier League winners in the 90th minute or later since records began in 2006-07.
Mac Allister’s response to adversity defined the night. Having seen one goal ruled out, he stayed composed. Alisson kept Liverpool alive when they were under pressure. Forest will rue missed first-half chances after controlling large spells.
Forest remain 17th, two points above the relegation zone. They next host Fenerbahce in the Europa League playoff second leg on Thursday before travelling to Brighton on Sunday. Liverpool move onto 45 points, level with Chelsea and Manchester United. Arne Slot’s side host West Ham at Anfield next weekend.
