Mac Allister produces late winner for Liverpool as Forest’s survival mission takes a hit

Liverpool secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground as Alexis Mac Allister struck in the 97th minute to seal a crucial three points.

For long periods it appeared Arne Slot’s side would be frustrated by a resolute Forest display, but late chaos turned the contest on its head.

The visitors were dealt an early disruption when Florian Wirtz withdrew during the warm-up, forcing a reshuffle before kick-off.

Forest began with greater intensity and created clearer openings in the first half.

Callum Hudson-Odoi tested Alisson inside the opening minutes, while Elliot Anderson and Murillo both threatened from distance.

Liverpool struggled before the interval. Slot’s side improved marginally after the break, but clear chances remained scarce.

Curtis Jones forced a save from Stefan Ortega, yet Forest continued to look the more cohesive side.

Nikola Milenkovic headed narrowly wide as the hosts searched for a breakthrough that would have lifted them further from danger.

The contest drifted towards stoppage time with neither goalkeeper heavily overworked. Then came a frantic finale that transformed the mood entirely.

Mac Allister thought he had snatched a winner when Ola Aina’s attempted clearance ricocheted off him and into the net.

However, a VAR review ruled the goal out for handball after the ball struck the Argentine’s arm.

Liverpool pressed deep into added time and forced one final opportunity. Ortega parried Virgil van Dijk’s downward header away in a crowded penalty area.

Mac Allister reacted quickest to the rebound and bundled the ball home from close range. There was a brief pause for an offside check against Van Dijk, but this time the goal stood.

The away supporters erupted as the midfielder wheeled away in celebration, having turned despair into jubilation within minutes.

Forest had little time to respond, and the final whistle confirmed a narrow but significant Liverpool win.

The result keeps Liverpool firmly in the race for European qualification and rewards their persistence despite an uneven display.

The defeat is a bitter blow for Forest after a disciplined performance that had nearly earned them a valuable point.

Mac Allister’s late intervention ultimately proved decisive, underlining Liverpool’s capacity to seize key moments even when far from their best.