Liverpool weren’t remotely convincing in their dramatic 1-0 victory away to Nottingham Forest, but their mentality to push for the winner was duly noted.
Arne Slot can breathe a huge sigh of relief, with the Reds incredibly poor at the City Ground but sealing a massive three points.
Here’s how the media reacted to a big result for Liverpool.
Liverpool’s win at Forest was ugly but precious…
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 22, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates with team-mate 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)
David Lynch felt Liverpool’s ability to dig deep when far from their best was key:
“It may seem odd to highlight a first half in which Liverpool were dominated as key, but the most important thing they did in that period was largely restrict Forest to potshots.
“If you keep it at 0-0, you give yourself a chance to improve in the second, and they did that to win.”
ESPN’s Beth Lindop couldn’t ignore the significance of the victory:
“Huge – if not *entirely* deserved – win for Liverpool.
“Much improved in the second half without being brilliant. Credit to Alexis Mac Allister. Really struggled first half but better after the break and then scored two late winners.
“Massive in the race for CL qualification.”
But the *Telegraph*‘s John Percy didn’t hide the fact that it was a below-par performance:
“This dramatic finale could help salvage Liverpool’s difficult season.
[…]
“They are now level on points with Chelsea and Man United, but this result still papered over a crack bigger than the Grand Canyon.
“Liverpool were poor for long periods, with playmaker Florian Wirtz injured in the warm-up, and produced an ineffectual performance.”
Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo summed up the win in comical fashion:
“It was terrible. Then it was better. Then it was really good.
“Then it wasn’t. Then it was great. Then it finished.”
Mo Salah and Rio Ngumoha’s performances receive opposing reviews from the media
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 22, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is substituted off during the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Tom Collomosse of the Daily Mail focused on another bad day for Salah:
“When he was substituted 12 minutes from full-time, the Egyptian tried to style it out with a smile and an expression of surprise but this time the evidence was plain for all to see.
“This was his ninth successive league game without a goal and never has Salah experienced a drought this long in his Liverpool career.
“When the key action of this match happened, he was no longer involved.”
The Athletic‘s James Pearce was similarly critical of Salah’s lifeless display:
“If his all-round display against Brighton eight days earlier suggested he had rediscovered his spark, his performance against Forest represented a real backwards step.
“Salah got no change out of full-back Neco Williams as the former Liverpool academy youngster kept him quiet. Even when Salah did get away from him midway through the second half, he lacked the pace required to make the opening count.
“Last season’s Premier League Golden Boot winner, with 29 league goals, only has four to his name in late February. Salah could have no complaints when Ngumoha was brought on to replace him.”
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 22, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates with team-mate Federico Chiesa (R) after scoring the first goal but was later disallowed by VAR during the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Lindop hailed the influence of Ngumoha after replacing Salah:
“Great cameo from Rio Ngumoha there too. He’s still very raw but his pace and ingenuity a big asset in the closing stages for Liverpool.
“Something they don’t have a lot of this season.”
Finally, former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge also lauded the teenager:
“Every time I watch Rio Ngumoha, he looks electric.
“Direct, fearless, always trying to affect the game. He deserves more minutes. Simple as that.”