Alexis Mac Allister has revealed he told Hugo Ekitike he would score again despite seeing his first goal at Nottingham Forest being ruled out for handball.
Mac Allister twice celebrated a match-winner at the City Ground on Sunday, but only his second attempt counted on the scoresheet.
The first, which saw Ola Aina’s clearance hit him at point-blank range to rebound into Stefan Ortega’s net, was judged to be a handball.
But after following up Virgil van Dijk‘s header to fire in with seven minutes of stoppage time played, the midfielder came away with his first Premier League goal of the season.
Why Alexis Mac Allister’s first goal vs. Nottingham Forest was ruled out by VAR
In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Mac Allister was asked if the first goal went in off his elbow, saying: “It did, but I feel like it’s a bit harsh because it’s hit my back as well. It’s a bit of both.
“I understand the rules but I just think that in football that’s very harsh. But I think it was a fair decision.”
The nature of that disallowed goal only added to the feeling that it wasn’t going to be Liverpool’s day, which would have been a fair result given how poorly they played.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 22, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates with team-mates Andy Robertson (L) and Ibrahima Konaté (R) after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
But as he continued, Mac Allister insisted that he always believed he would score again – and even told Ekitike as much.
“I thought I was going to get another one,” he said.
“Even before the throw-in, I told Hugo this was going to be our goal, our situation.
“I don’t know if it was on that one or the next one, but I had another opportunity and I’m glad that it went in.”
Nevertheless, with Liverpool far from their best after another week in which Arne Slot and his players took time off, there are more questions to be asked of their performance.
“I love scoring, I love winning. So in that sense it’s a really good day,” Mac Allister assessed.
“But then on the other hand I don’t think we played very well. There’s plenty of things we need to improve, but it’s always nice when you win.”