Nottm Forest Vs Liverpool: Mac Allister’s 97th-minute winner labelled a 'heist'

nottm forest vs liverpool finished in late chaos at the City Ground as Alexis Mac Allister's 97th-minute strike gave Liverpool a 1-0 win that commentators and fans described as a "heist" — a victory that moved Liverpool level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United in fourth and fifth.

Late drama at the City Ground

The match swung wildly in the closing moments. A Liverpool goal was overturned earlier in the game after the ball rebounded off Alexis Mac Allister and into the net; referee Anthony Taylor announced, "After review, the ball hits the arm of the goal scorer, Liverpool No. 10 [Mac Allister]. Therefore, it's an accidental handball by the goal scorer, so the final decision is a direct free kick. " VAR Paul Tierney's quick review identified that the ball had deflected off part of Mac Allister's arm, with the tolerance level at the sleeve.

Late, at the 97th minute, Mac Allister struck again and the goal stood after a VAR check for offside on Virgil van Dijk. The semi-automated technology showed Van Dijk was marginally onside and the goal was allowed.

Nottm Forest Vs Liverpool: a win labelled robbery

Many described the result in stark terms. Jamie Carragher called it "one of the biggest robberies I've seen in the Premier League this season. " Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira said he was "angry with football, " while voices inside and outside the stadium argued Forest did not deserve to lose.

Forest pressure and fan reactions

Forest dominated large parts of the afternoon, and the home fans repeatedly chanted "In your head, Arne, Arne, Arne" to the tune of Zombie by The Cranberries as their side pressed Liverpool. Before this match, Arne Slot had failed to beat Nottingham Forest in each of his previous three attempts as Liverpool boss. When Liverpool's players walked to the away end after the final whistle, the travelling support echoed the same chant in disbelief.

Critics say Liverpool were rotten; supporters seething

Criticism was sharp. Commentators and fans called the Liverpool performance one of the worst under Arne Slot, comparing it to the "dark days of Hodgson. " One fan comment captured the mood: "We robbed Forest today. Neil, LFC, USA. " Other voices deemed the game "utter poison, " saying the Reds were "pedestrian" and lacked intensity, fluidity and patterns of play. Critics singled out tactical choices: a recollection that Slot once subbed off Quansah for losing duels; observations that Gakpo continually cut inside and launched passes into space; and complaints that a player named Diaz wasn't replaced to avoid blocking his pathway.

Some called for change. One view read: "Slot should not be allowed to continue. He is too stubborn. Szobo our best player being forced to play out of position is just ridiculous. " Another noted a young player, Rio, "came on and impressed but he will be on the bench next week again because apparently he's too young to start. " There was also a reminder that the team's troubles came "beyond the tragedy of Jota, " a phrase left unclear in the provided context.

Mac Allister and manager reactions

Alexis Mac Allister described the disallowed effort as hitting his back and elbow: "It hit my back and my elbow. I understand the rule but if you understand football, that goal should have stood. " He added an assessment of the match: "The first half wasn't good at all; positioning, pressing, intensity. It was not our standard. The second half, I wouldn't say it was good but it was better. "

Manager Arne Slot acknowledged poor aspects of the performance but welcomed the result: "My emotions were emotions of happiness and relief because this is the first time I have to do a different post match press conference. We did not play a good game. We have been on the wrong side of the score after a good performance too many times. We got more than we deserved. A draw would have been a fair result. We needed to be on the right side of things once in a while. It felt we have been lucky. "

VAR and the laws explained

the handball overturn was correct under the Laws of the Game: a goal cannot be scored by the use of hand or arm even if accidental. The handball overturn came around the 90-minute mark; the 97th-minute check for offside on Virgil van Dijk was brief and confirmed he was marginally onside, allowing Mac Allister's winner to stand. Former players reflected on individual performances too, with Don Hutchison reflecting on Mohamed Salah's performance during Liverpool's late 1-0 win.

Liverpool left the City Ground with three points and level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United in fourth and fifth; critics and supporters will now turn to the next matchweek, where one commentator expected Rio to be on the bench again next week.