Ian Doyle with the talking points from Liverpool's Premier League clash at Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Neco Williams of Nottingham Forest during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at City Ground on February 22, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha runs with the ball while under pressure from Neco Williams during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at City Ground on February 22, 2026(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
View Image
The statistics will claim it ultimately counted for nothing. But with one contribution, Rio Ngumoha effectively changed the course of this game – and perhaps Liverpool’s season. And the clamour for the 17-year-old to be handed a first Premier League start will now surely reach an almost deafening volume.
Ngumoha’s run into the box down the inside right channel and cross towards Hugo Ekitike for Alexis Mac Allister’s disallowed goal set in motion a series of events that ultimately led to the dramatic, decisive finale.
True, Nottingham Forest’s weary legs, particularly in the full-back positions, meant they were ripe for Rio Ngumoha to capitalise upon when thrown into the fray 17 minutes from the end of normal time.
Author avatar
Author avatar
Author avatar
Author avatar
But the youthful exuberance, direct running and clever feet of the teenager ensured he made more of an eye-catching impact than starting wingers Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah put together, although in fairness the latter combined to create a good chance for Curtis Jones shortly after the interval.
Arne Slot has been wise not to over-expose Ngumoha given the travails of much of Liverpool’s season. Nothing would have been gained from having the youngster part of huge collective failings.
This, though, was a stirring example of why, at the very minimum, his cameos from the bench must now be extended. That first league start isn’t far away.
Wirtz value increases
It was one of the few remaining boxes that needed ticking off in the Liverpool injury bingo. And Florian Wirtz being ruled out during the warm-up served also to highlight his influence on the Reds’ attacking efforts.
It’s worth remembering Wirtz’s only previous injury absence since arriving at Anfield last summer saw him miss November's dire 3-0 home thumping against Forest and the even worse 4-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven that immediately followed.
Without the Germany international, Liverpool offered next to nothing going forward in the first half and precious little for large swathes of an admittedly improved effort following the break.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source.Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
Alarming was the manner in which the Reds were overpowered in the engine room. Rarely can Ryan Gravenberch have been so ineffective while Mac Allister was so regularly exposed in the first half the Argentine was pushed further upfield before the break with Dominik Szoboszlai adding some much-needed midfield steel.
Not every opponent is brutishly physical as Forest. But the argument grows that Slot’s options would benefit from recruiting a true defensive number six option in the summer.
Konate different class
If ever there was an afternoon for Liverpool to have addressed their propensity for starting slowly in Premier League games this season, it was here.
Not only had Forest played in Turkey less than 72 hours earlier, new boss Vitor Pereira then named the same starting XI for the visit of the Reds.
By contrast, Slot’s side had eight days to prepare. But it didn’t stop them delivering an appalling first-half display which offered a compelling argument that rhythm is more beneficial than rest.
The reshuffle following Wirtz’s late withdrawal shouldn’t have impacted a defensive effort that offered the rearguard almost non-existent protection while Liverpool constantly put themselves under pressure with poor distribution out from the back.
Indeed, Forest’s total of 12 shots before the break was the most the Reds had allowed in a Premier League first half since the infamous 6-1 loss at Stoke City in May 2015.
That they ended with their clean sheet intact – posting a third successive shut-out for the first time in almost 12 months – owed much to an outstanding display from Ibrahima Konate. If playing for a new contract, this will have further strengthened his claims.
*FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page*