NOTTM FOREST 0-1 LIVERPOOL: Liverpool's push for a top four spot took another dramatic turn after Alexis Mac Allister scored deep into stoppage time at the City Ground
Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates at the City Ground(Image: Getty Images)
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Alex Mac Allister was the hero for Liverpool as he scored a dramatic late winner against Nottingham Forest having seen one ruled out just moments later.
The Reds had the opportunity to climb into the top four with victory in the Midlands but turned in a dismal performance. Their best chance of the game fell to Curtis Jones but he was denied by Stefan Ortega.
Alexis Mac Allister then thought he had won it late on as Ola Aina's clearance cannoned off of him and into the net. But VAR intervened and ruled the goal out. But the Argentine was not done there as he struck once again in stoppage time, VAR this time giving the goal.
The draw leaves Liverpool sixth but they are now level on points with Chelsea. Meanwhile, Forest remain in 17th and are two points clear of the relegation zone.
Here are all of the talking points from the City Ground:
Wirtz blow
Liverpool's plans for the trip to the City Ground were hit with a blow just moments before kick-off at the City Ground as Florian Wirtz picked up an injury in the warm-ups.
That saw Slot name Curtis Jones as his replacement, with Szoboszlai claiming the right-back role. And Forest nearly took advantage of that in the opening few moments as he failed to keep hold of Callum Hudson-Odoi but the winger could not beat Alisson in the Liverpool goal.
Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz withdrew during the warm ups at the City Ground(Image: Getty Images)
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Since Mohamed Salah's return from the African Cup of Nations, the Egyptian has really struggled to get going in front of goal. Despite having chalked up three assists upon his return to Merseyside, he is yet to find the net.
And that comes amid the backdrop of a lengthy wait for a Premier League goal. Salah has not found the net in the league since November. And he looked unlikely to end that wait, having not managed a single shot in the Midlands before he was taken off with 15 minutes remaining.
If Liverpool are to secure a spot in the top four between now and the end of the season, Slot needs to find a way to rediscover Salah's goalscoring form.
Liverpool's attack stutters
It wasn't just Salah that struggled in front of goal on Sunday, the same could also be said of his Liverpool teammates. For a side that boasted the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister, the Reds were strangely off-colour at the City Ground.
They only ended up having one shot on target in the Midlands. The fluency that carried Liverpool to the title last season is now long gone.
Liverpool escape VAR heartbreak
Just as though it looked as though Liverpool were going to be held, they seemingly stole a late victory. As Forest failed to deal with a ball into the penalty area, Aina attempted to clear, only to cannon the ball into Mac Allister.
The Argentine midfielder ran off celebrating, with Pereira left furious. But the drama was not over there as VAR checked the goal for handball and found reason to chalk it off. That decision this time infuriated Slot.
Mac Allister though was in the right place to thump home after Ortega had saved from Virgil van Dijk's header. VAR checked again but the goal was given, triggering wild celebrations.
Pereira's impact continues
The remit is clear for new Forest boss Vitor Pereira: keep the club in the Premier League. After leading his side to an impressive 3-0 win against Fenerbahce on debut, this performance was another positive one despite the result.
Forest looked disciplined, structured and competent, albeit not as threatening as they possibly could have been. While this was not the win that Pereira or Forest will have wanted, it was certainly a start.
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