The City Ground witnessed an extraordinary climax to a Premier League encounter as Liverpool, battling for every point in a tight title race, snatched a dramatic victory deep into stoppage time. Alexis Mac Allister emerged as the hero, capitalising on a chaotic sequence in the Nottingham Forest penalty area to secure all three points for the Reds. This thrilling finish, described by some as occurring in the “extra time of extra time,” left Forest heartbroken and Liverpool celebrating a hard-fought, perhaps even undeserved, win. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring a disallowed goal, tactical shifts, and relentless pressure, culminating in a moment of pure footballing theatre that will be remembered by fans of both clubs.
A Tale of Two Halves and Tactical Shifts
The encounter began with Nottingham Forest, buoyed by a recent impressive European victory, displaying remarkable confidence and cohesion. Despite a demanding midweek fixture in Turkey, manager Vítor Pereira opted for an unchanged lineup, a testament to his belief in the momentum gained. This decision initially paid dividends, as Forest pressed Liverpool effectively, disrupting their rhythm and limiting their creative outlets. Liverpool, conversely, appeared sluggish, perhaps feeling the aftereffects of a longer break rather than the fatigue of their opponents. The absence of Florian Wirtz, who withdrew with a back problem during the warm-up, forcing Curtis Jones into the starting XI, seemed to further unsettle the visitors.
Liverpool’s First Half Struggles
Jürgen Klopp’s side endured a truly abysmal first half, a period the manager later described as the worst of his tenure. Their attacking output was virtually non-existent, registering a mere two shots, one blocked and the other off target. Crucially, they managed only three touches inside the opposition box, a stark indicator of their inability to penetrate Forest’s disciplined defence. The home side, meanwhile, played with a swagger, exemplified by Murillo’s eagerness to take a free-kick from the edge of the box and Nikola Milenkovic’s speculative but confident strike from 25 yards just before the break. Forest’s energy and conviction contrasted sharply with Liverpool’s disjointed performance, suggesting that the mental and physical freshness advantage, if any, lay with the hosts in the initial stages.
Second Half Revival and Controversial Moments
Following a stern half-time team talk, where Klopp reminded his players of their superior energy levels and their ability to bounce back, as demonstrated against Manchester City, Liverpool emerged with renewed purpose. While the bar was set low by their first-half display, their improvement was noticeable. The 53rd minute saw their first genuine moment of attacking quality, with Cody Gakpo cutting in from the left to deliver a cross for Mohamed Salah. Salah’s cushioned header found Curtis Jones, whose volley was bravely blocked by Stefan Ortega. This was a rare on-target effort for Liverpool, highlighting Forest’s continued defensive resilience.
The match then veered into controversial territory. As the game entered what felt like an eternity of added time, Alexis Mac Allister appeared to have scored a bizarre winner. Following Hugo Ekitiké’s header, saved by Ortega, Forest defender Ola Aina attempted to clear the danger. His clearance, however, ricocheted off Mac Allister’s elbow and into the net. The video assistant referee, Paul Tierney, intervened, ruling out the goal due to the handball, extending the already lengthy stoppage time and adding to the tension.
The Unforgettable Finale
Despite the setback of the disallowed goal, Liverpool refused to yield. With moments ticking away in the 97th minute, they manufactured one final assault. Joe Gomez, a late substitute, initially shaped for a long throw but instead played a precise pass infield to Dominik Szoboszlai. Szoboszlai, facing Nicolás Domínguez some 30 yards from goal, showcased exquisite skill, jinking left and then right to create space for a right-footed cross. This was truly the last throw of the dice. His delivery found Virgil van Dijk lurking at the back post, who headed the ball across the face of goal. In a moment of sheer desperation, Murillo, facing his own goal, somehow hooked the ball away. But the danger was not averted. Alexis Mac Allister, ever alert, was perfectly positioned to hammer the loose ball home from close range. Another VAR check swiftly cleared Van Dijk for offside, confirming the goal and unleashing pandemonium among the Liverpool contingent, while Forest players collapsed in despair.
The final whistle brought an end to an emotionally charged contest. Liverpool had, as manager Klopp admitted, “got more than they deserved,” with a draw likely being a fairer reflection of the ninety-plus minutes. For Nottingham Forest and their manager Vítor Pereira, it was a gut-wrenching defeat, particularly after such a spirited performance that showcased their potential to stay clear of the relegation zone. Pereira expressed his frustration but remained resolute, confident that with continued mentality, ambition, and organisation, his side will secure the necessary points to avoid the drop. This dramatic victory moved Liverpool level on points with their title rivals, while Forest, two points above the relegation zone, now look ahead to their next crucial fixture against Brighton, determined to bounce back from this cruel blow.
