Alexis Mac Allister struck deep into stoppage time to hand Liverpool a dramatic 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in a tense Premier League encounter.
Just minutes after seeing a goal ruled out for handball following a VAR review, the Argentina international reacted quickest in the 96th minute to convert from close range after Forest goalkeeper Stefan Ortega had saved Virgil van Dijk’s header.
The late breakthrough settled a fiercely contested match that had looked destined to end goalless.
Forest, featuring Ivory Coast midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré, had chances of their own and will feel unfortunate not to have taken a point. Sangaré went close late on with a long-range effort that drifted narrowly wide, while Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson both tested Liverpool’s defence in a lively first half.
The first half produced opportunities at both ends. Omari Hutchinson forced a comfortable save from Alisson, while Hugo Ekitiké and Curtis Jones were denied by Ortega as Liverpool gradually increased their dominance.
The drama intensified late on. Mac Allister thought he had broken the deadlock in the 88th minute, only for VAR to rule out the goal for handball. Moments later, Forest had a decision go against them as well, with a VAR review confirming no goal at the other end.
With five minutes of added time signalled, Liverpool continued to press. Their persistence paid off when Van Dijk’s header was parried into danger and Mac Allister pounced to steer home from close range.
The result keeps Liverpool firmly in the title conversation, while Forest are left to reflect on a spirited display that ultimately yielded no reward.
