Nottm Forest Vs Liverpool: Mac Allister’s 97th-minute winner sparks chaotic City Ground finale
The decisive moment in Nottm Forest Vs Liverpool arrived deep into injury time, when Alexis Mac Allister hammered home from close range in the 97th minute to secure a 1-0 victory that left Nottingham Forest stunned and Liverpool celebrating a controversial late boost. The finish mattered immediately: it moved Liverpool level on points with two direct rivals and produced a post-match storm of VAR checks, managerial emotion and claims that the result flattered the visitors.
Nottm Forest Vs Liverpool — how the 97th-minute winner unfolded
The final sequence began after a period of frantic stoppage-time action. Joe Gomez, introduced late, abandoned a long-throw attempt to find Dominik Szoboszlai infield. Szoboszlai, confronted by Nicolás Domínguez some 30 yards from goal, beat the midfielder with a jink to create space for a right-footed cross. Virgil van Dijk met the delivery at the back post and headed across goal. As Murillo, faced with his own goal, hooked the ball away, Alexis Mac Allister was positioned to hammer in the rebound from close range, producing the match‑winner that decided Nottm Forest Vs Liverpool.
VAR drama and the disallowed effort earlier
The closing moments were preceded by an earlier, bizarre candidate for a winner that was ultimately ruled out. Stefan Ortega had tipped Hugo Ekitiké’s header from a Rio Ngumoha cross onto his right glove. When Ola Aina tried to clear, his attempt struck Mac Allister and cannoned into the net. The video assistant referee, Paul Tierney, intervened and extended what was already at least five minutes of added time; that earlier goal was disallowed on the basis that the ball had struck Mac Allister’s elbow when it went in. Mac Allister later said the ball had contacted his back and elbow and that he understood the handball rule, though he felt the goal should have stood.
Tactical patterns, first-half failings and momentum between the clubs
Nottingham Forest carried momentum into the match after a memorable 3-0 win in Istanbul at Fenerbahce earlier in the week and started the game in a way that often put Liverpool on the back foot. Forest’s head coach kept the same lineup despite the squad not returning from Turkey until Friday afternoon. Ironically, Liverpool were the side appearing affected by travel fatigue despite having last played eight days earlier; the interplay of freshness and fatigue was raised as a possible factor after the game.
Forest were judged by their manager to have been abysmal in the first half, registering only two shots (one blocked, one off target) and recording only three touches in the opposition box. Their coach told the players it was the worst half of his tenure and urged them to summon energy and resilience for the second half.
Managers, players and fan reactions
Arne Slot described a mixture of happiness and relief at the final outcome, acknowledging that Liverpool had not played well overall and that a draw would have been a fairer result. He praised the mentality shown to secure the late winner, highlighted Szoboszlai’s composure in the decisive passage and credited van Dijk and Mac Allister for their roles in both the disallowed and the eventual winning strikes. The Nottingham Forest head coach, Vítor Pereira, was left numb in his first league game in charge and said he felt angry with football; he believed his team did not deserve to lose.
Fans contributed to the atmosphere: home supporters chanted "in your head, in your head, Arne, Arne, Arne" to the tune of Zombie, while travelling Liverpool fans erupted wildly after the late goal. On the pitch, Neco Williams was left lying on the turf as Liverpool celebrated; the away dugout emptied into the technical area in the aftermath.
What the win means and what's next
The result was framed by some as a late heist that boosts Liverpool's top-four hopes and places them firmly in the Champions League hunt. The victory moved Liverpool level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United; Chelsea had stumbled to a draw with Burnley, and Manchester United were due to visit Everton on Monday. For Nottingham Forest, the loss stung despite signs of positive recent form and the immediate impression that they had been unlucky not to take at least a point.
Context and lingering uncertainties
Before this game, Slot had been unable to beat Nottingham Forest in his previous three attempts as Liverpool boss. The match featured a sequence of contentious decisions and a dramatic late finish that required multiple VAR interventions; the full implications for both teams' seasons will unfold in the coming fixtures. One fragment of post-match coverage ends abruptly and is unclear in the provided context.
