Despite struggling for long spells against Nottingham Forest, a late surge from Liverpool saw it earn a dramatic injury-time winner via Alexis Mac Allister at the City Ground
16:15, 22 Feb 2026Updated 16:25, 22 Feb 2026
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Nottingham Forest
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool earned a late dramatic winner against Nottingham Forest on Sunday as Alexis Mac Allister's injury-time goal ensured the Reds took a vital three points at the City Ground.
For 90 minutes, this was another uninspiring display from the Premier League champions, especially in the first half. But two late incidents proved vital, as Mac Allister twice scored. Both were checked by VAR and after the first was disallowed, the second stood, as Liverpool took an underserved 1-0 away win.
Here are the main talking points from the City Ground.
Late drama
If not for Mac Allister, this would be have been another tale of woe for Arne Slot's side. In truth, he like so many of his team-mates struggled, for long spells.
But a late surge saw Liverpool strike decisive blow. Just before the 90th minute, Ola Aina cleared the ball off the Liverpool midfielder, with the ball fortuitously flying into the net. The visitors celebrated wildly, only for it to be chalked off by VAR, after the ball was seen to have struck his arm.
Then came the game-changing moment, as Dominik Szoboszlai's cross was met by Virgil van Dijk in the seventh minute of injuty-time, before Mac Allister swept it home. Again there was a VAR check. This time, the goal was given, sparking pandamonic scenes in the away end.
Unwanted change
Liverpool has endured rotten luck with injuries this season, and there was a fresh setback at the City Ground as Florian Wirtz suffered a knock in the warm-up which forced him to drop out of the side. He was replaced by Curtis Jones, lined up in a more offensive role.
"It's a big blow. He's been the one knitting everything together," said Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports. That prediction proved prescient, with the Reds lacking fluidity without its no.7. So sluggish was Liverpool's start, Arne Slot ultimately opted to switch Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai, with the latter moving into midfield after around 30 minutes.
Dismally disjointed
If Sunday was another test of Liverpool's progression, Slot will have been horrified by the results. The first 45 minutes in Nottingham contained all the hallmarks of the Reds' worst performances of the season: individual errors, a lack of physicality, while the champions lacked any sort of rhythm in possession.
Buoyed by the midweek win in Turkey, and yet another new managerial dawn, the Forest fans created an intense atmosphere at the City Ground. Not for the first time this season, Liverpool wilted. That was underlined by a half-time stat that the Reds had conceded 12 efforts in first period, the most in an opening Premier League 45 since May 2015.
Salah struggles
Perhaps the biggest indicator of Liverpool's downturn this season has been the form of Mohamed Salah. Last season's Player of the Season has not scored an open-play goal in the league since November, and put in another woeful showing in Nottingham.
That Slot replaced him with 12 minutes as Liverpool chased a goals summed it all up. He ruefully smiled from the substitutes' bench. Inside, he must feel distraught at his continued struggles.
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How the table looks
After Chelsea dropped points on Saturday, Liverpool knew this was a chance to draw level on points with the Blues and Manchester United. The 1-0 means the champions remain in sixth, but level on points with their rivals. That could change on Monday, however, with United travelling to Everton.