Liverpool’s aspirations of a top-five Premier League finish were boosted as they earned a 1-0 smash-and-grab victory against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Alexis Mac Allister bagged a 97th-minute winner for the Reds, having had a goal disallowed eight minutes earlier for handball when charging down a clearance.
In truth, Arne Slot’s side might have felt lucky if they escaped with a share of the spoils after their woeful first-half performance - but they instead claimed a third successive victory in the pursuit of Champions League qualification.
Liverpool were put under siege for the majority of the first half, with their sloppiness in possession a chief reason. In the third minute, Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi got in behind the Reds’ defence but Alisson Becker rushed off his line to make a crucial save.
Forest would have rued their lack of cutting edge, as Alisson barely had to make another save otherwise before the break. Yet Liverpool offered barely anything going forward, with their best opportunity coming when Mo Salah flashed a ball across the box that Cody Gakpo could not get on the end of.
Slot’s side did improve somewhat in the second period but still struggled. They did create the best chance in the 54th minute when Salah headed back for Curtis Jones but Forest keeper Stefan Ortega made a big save.
Forest did rally late on, with Ibrahim Sangare cracking a couple of long-range efforts wide. Then with a minute of normal time remaining, Liverpool thought they’d won it. Hugo Ekitike should have scored with a header that was saved by Ortega. But as Ola Aina cleared for Forest, Mac Allister charged down the ball and it went into the back of the net.
That sent Liverpool and the travelling supporters behind the goal into raptures but a VAR review deemed the ball hit Mac Allister’s hand.
It appeared that the Reds would return to Merseyside with a point - but there was to be more drama with Mac Allister at centre stage. In the 96th minute, Virgil van Dijk had a header only partially saved by Ortega and there was Mac Allister to react first and deliver victory. This time it did count despite another VAR check for offside - and Forest would have felt injustice.
But the Reds won’t care too much as they moved level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United in the Champions League battle.
Made a crucial save early on and another couple of decent stops in the first half.
1. Alisson Becker - 7
Made a crucial save early on and another couple of decent stops in the first half. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Started at right-back but moved into midfield midway through the first half. Made one important block before the break. Couldn't really impact things in the second half but then put in the cross that led to the winner.
2. Dominik Szoboszlai - 6
Started at right-back but moved into midfield midway through the first half. Made one important block before the break. Couldn't really impact things in the second half but then put in the cross that led to the winner. | Getty Images
Almost single-handedly kept Liverpool level before the break with the number of blocks and headers he won. Faultless after the break and header led to Mac Allister's winner.
3. Virgil van Dijk - 8
Almost single-handedly kept Liverpool level before the break with the number of blocks and headers he won. Faultless after the break and header led to Mac Allister's winner. | Getty Images
Had to soak up so much pressure in the first half. Did well after the break and went on one powerful run from the edge of hid own box.
4. Ibrahima Konate - 8
Had to soak up so much pressure in the first half. Did well after the break and went on one powerful run from the edge of hid own box. | Getty Images