A Heist in the Heart of the Midlands

 In a game that will be remembered for its breathless, chaotic finale, Liverpool snatched an improbable 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. 

Alexis Mac Allister was the architect of this smash-and-grab, scoring a dramatic winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time—moments after seeing another goal controversially disallowed by VAR .

First half: Forest dominance unrewarded 

For 96 minutes, Vitor Pereira's resurgent Forest had been the superior side, dominating large swathes of the contest in his first Premier League game in charge. Yet, in a finish that defied the pattern of play, the Argentine midfielder wrote his name into the folklore of this fixture, bundling home a rebound to spark delirious celebrations among the travelling supporters and silence a City Ground crowd that had sensed a famous victory .

The win moved Liverpool level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for Champions League qualification, while Forest, despite a performance full of promise, were left to rue a missed opportunity, remaining just two points above the relegation zone 

Liverpool were dealt a significant blow before a ball was even kicked, with in-form playmaker Florian Wirtz forced to withdraw during the warm-up due to injury. Curtis Jones was hastily drafted into the starting XI, a late change that seemed to unsettle Arne Slot's side from the outset 

Forest, buoyed by their stunning 3-0 Europa League victory at Fenerbahce just three days prior, started with a ferocious intensity . Inside the opening three minutes, they carved Liverpool open. Ibrahim Sangaré pinched possession in midfield and released Callum Hudson-Odoi , who bore down on goal, only to be denied by a sharp, sprawling save from Alisson Becker .

The hosts continued to swarm Liverpool, winning every duel and forcing error after error. Elliot Anderson was imperious in midfield, dictating play and curling just wide from distance. Omari Hutchinson also tested the waters, while Virgil van Dijk was forced into a vital, last-ditch interception to deny Igor Jesus   a clear sight of goal just before the interval .

Liverpool, in stark contrast, were unrecognisable. They registered just two shots, none on target, and managed a paltry three touches in the Forest box during the first 45 minutes. Jamie Carragher, speaking on co-commentary, described the display as a horror show . The 12 shots they conceded in the first half was the most for Liverpool since their infamous 6-1 defeat at Stoke City in 2015 .

Second Half: Improvement but Little Penetration

Slot's side showed marginal improvement after the break. They registered four shots within the first nine minutes of the half—double their entire first-half output . Their best opportunity arrived in the 54th minute when Mohamed Salah cushioned a header back across goal for Jones, whose close-range volley was brilliantly blocked by Forest goalkeeper Stefan Ortega .

Yet, clear-cut chances remained elusive. Forest, still looking the more cohesive side, continued to threaten. Nikola Milenkovic headed narrowly wide from a corner, and substitute Morgan Gibbs-White saw a goal-bound effort blocked by the outstretched leg of Andy Robertson , introduced late on for his 200th Premier League appearance .

As the game entered its final stages, it appeared destined for a goalless stalemate—a result that would have felt like a victory for Pereira's resolute side.

Then came a finale that will be etched into the memory of everyone present.

89th minute – Mac Allister thinks he's won it: Forest failed to clear a long throw-in from substitute Joe Gomez. The ball fell to Hugo Ekitike, whose header was superbly saved by Ortega. As Ola Aina rushed to clear the rebound, his clearance smashed against Mac Allister from close range and flew into the net. The Argentine wheeled away in celebration, but his joy was short-lived .

90+3 minutes – VAR disallows the goal: After a lengthy review, the Video Assistant Referee intervened. The goal was disallowed for handball, with the ball deemed to have struck Mac Allister's elbow. From elation to despair in the space of four minutes .

90+7 minutes – Mac Allister wins it again: Liverpool, to their immense credit, refused to fold. They mounted one final attack. Dominik Szoboszlai swung a cross into the Forest box. Virgil van Dijk rose highest, powering a downward header towards goal. Ortega could only parry it into a crowded six-yard box. And there, with the instincts of a born poacher, was Alexis Mac Allister. He reacted quickest, slamming the loose ball into the roof of the net from close range .

A tense, agonising pause followed as referee Anthony Taylor checked with his assistant for a potential offside against Van Dijk. The flag stayed down. The goal stood. The away end erupted in pure, unadulterated chaos .

It was Mac Allister's first Premier League goal since April 2025, ending a run of 27 league appearances without scoring . It was also Liverpool's 48th winning goal in the 90th minute or later of a Premier League game—at least 12 more than any other club .

Arne Slot (Liverpool manager) acknowledged his side's fortune but praised their resilience. It was fine margins. We really struggled in the first half. We were the lucky ones scoring in the extra time. In the first half, the only part I liked was the defending in our box. We showed a different Liverpool in the second half.

Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool match-winner) spoke about the emotional rollercoaster and his disallowed goal. It hit my back and my elbow. I understand the rule but if you understand football, that goal should have stood... It doesn't feel nice in the moment but it is what it is. The first half wasn't good at all; positioning, pressing, intensity. It was not our standard.

Vitor Pereira (Nottingham Forest head coach) was left to rue his side's inability to capitalise on their dominance.

I am frustrated inside. I am angry with football, but you know, it's time to keep the mentality, to come back stronger and with confidence to face the future. The first half we played in the way that we played in Istanbul but we didn't score the goals.

For Liverpool (6th, 45 points) This victory was a massive boost to their Champions League qualification hopes, moving them level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United . The character shown to recover from the VAR disallowance and snatch victory will be immensely valuable, even if the performance was deeply flawed. Slot will hope the late arrival of Wirtz is not a serious issue .

For Nottingham Forest (17th, 27 points): This defeat will feel like a gut punch. While the performance under Pereira was highly encouraging, it ultimately yielded nothing. They remain just two points above the relegation zone, and the challenge now is to ensure this crushing late blow does not derail their momentum as they prepare for the second leg of their Europa League play-off against Fenerbahce on Thursday . Their ongoing struggle to convert chances—having now attempted 56 shots without scoring in the league—remains a critical concern .