Nottm Forest Vs Liverpool: Mac Allister’s 97th‑Minute Winner and VAR Chaos Hand Liverpool a Controversial Win
In a dramatic Nottm Forest Vs Liverpool encounter, Alexis Mac Allister struck in the 97th minute to secure a 1-0 victory following two decisive VAR interventions, leaving managers, players and pundits grappling with late controversy and big consequences for the table.
Nottm Forest Vs Liverpool: VAR moments that decided the match
The closing stages were dominated by video review. An initial Liverpool goal was overturned after referee Anthony Taylor, following a VAR check by Paul Tierney, ruled the ball had struck Alexis Mac Allister's arm as it rebounded off him from a clearance by Ola Aina. Taylor announced that the ball hit the arm of the goal scorer and that the final decision was a direct free kick; the intervention was framed as correct under the law that a goal cannot be scored by the use of hand or arm even if accidental. Later, after extended stoppage time, another VAR check examined whether Virgil van Dijk was offside in the build-up to Mac Allister's eventual strike; semi-automated technology showed Van Dijk to be marginally onside and the 97th-minute goal was allowed to stand.
How the finishing sequence unfolded
The first late drama began when Stefan Ortega pawed away a Hugo Ekitiké header from a Rio Ngumoha dinked cross, only for Ola Aina's attempted clearance to rebound off Mac Allister and into the net — a goal that was subsequently ruled out for handball. Paul Tierney's VAR intervention extended what was described as at least five minutes of added time. Liverpool then reset: Joe Gomez, a late substitute, looked as if he would deliver a long throw but instead found Dominik Szoboszlai infield. Szoboszlai, with Nicolás Domínguez closing him about 30 yards from goal, jinked to create an angle for a right-footed cross. Van Dijk headed across goal, Murillo hooked the ball away under pressure facing his own net, and Mac Allister hammered home from close range to complete the late turnaround.
Managers, emotions and the aftermath
Nottingham Forest boss Vítor Pereira said he was "angry with football" and was left numb in his first league game in charge. Arne Slot, the Liverpool manager, described his emotions as happiness and relief, noting it was the first time he had to do a different post-match press conference and conceding his side did not play a good game. Slot has regularly insisted Liverpool have been unfortunate at times this season and acknowledged they had gotten more than they deserved on this occasion, saying a draw would have been fairer.
Match context: performances, momentum and reactions
Forest dominated large parts of the contest and had arrived buoyed by a memorable 3-0 win at Fenerbahce on Thursday; Pereira named an unchanged team despite the squad not returning from Turkey until Friday afternoon. For long periods Liverpool were dull and, in Slot's words, managed an "abysmal" first half — registering two shots (one blocked and one off target) and only three touches in the opposition box. Forest were floored by the late outcome: Neco Williams was seen lying on the turf, the Forest dugout emptied into the technical area, and the visiting support erupted as Liverpool celebrated.
Wider implications and strong reactions
The win moved Liverpool level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United, occupying fourth and fifth positions in the table context referenced after the match; Chelsea had stumbled to a draw with Burnley and Manchester United were due to visit Everton on Monday. Pundit reaction was fierce: Jamie Carragher called it "one of the biggest robberies I've seen in the Premier League this season. " Former player Don Hutchison reflected on Mohamed Salah's performance in the build-up to the late victory as part of the post-match analysis.
Alexis Mac Allister described the disallowed effort as having hit his back and elbow, stating he understood the rule but felt the goal should have stood. The match will be remembered for its two VAR interventions — the handball overturn and the marginal onside clearance — and for a 97th-minute resolution that leaves questions about fairness, resilience and momentum for both clubs.
