In one of the most dramatic finishes of the Premier League season so far, Liverpool snatched a late 1–0 victory over Nottingham Forest at The City Ground of added time, Liverpool finally found the decisive moment. A long throw into the Forest penalty area caused chaos, and a header from Virgil van Dijk was initially parried by Forest keeper Stefan Ortega. The loose ball then fell kindly to Mac Allister, who reacted quickest and slammed it home from close range, sending the away fans into ecstasy and securing a dramatic 1–0 win for Liverpool.
The timing of the goal, deep into stoppage time, made it one of Liverpool’s latest winning goals in Premier League history, and it kept their momentum going with a crucial three points late in the season.
Despite the late drama, statistics from the match suggest that Forest arguably deserved a share of the spoils. According to expected goals data, Nottingham Forest had a superior xG compared to Liverpool, and their attacking play for much of the match was superior in terms of chance creation.
Forest defended resolutely throughout the 90 minutes, keeping Liverpool’s forwards contained and forcing the visitors into a sluggish performance. Liverpool managed only a handful of clear attacking moments until the late drama unfolded, and their lack of cutting edge in the final third was evident for most of the match.
Although Liverpool struggled in attack, Alisson made important saves when called upon, particularly early in the game, helping keep the Reds in contention.
Forest’s goalkeeper was a standout performer for the home side. He made several key stops, including denying Liverpool’s first clear chance in the second half, and was unlucky to be beaten in stoppage time.
Nottingham Forest’s defense was organized, disciplined, and difficult to break down for long periods. They limited Liverpool’s attacking opportunities and arguably outplayed their opponents for large stretches.
Vítor Pereira’s Forest side executed a tactical plan that frustrated Liverpool’s build‑up and prevented the visitors from gaining any rhythm. Forest pressed intelligently in midfield, competed strongly in duels, and frequently forced Liverpool into errors.
Liverpool, under Arne Slot, looked ineffective in the final third for much of the match, with limited clear-cut chances until the dramatic late period. Their struggles were compounded by an early injury to Florian Wirtz in the warm up, which disrupted their creative shape.
The win moves Liverpool level on points with clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for Champions League qualification, though goal difference and games in hand still factor into the picture.
Nottingham Forest remains just above the relegation zone, two points clear, and will look to build on this performance despite the disappointment of losing a match they largely matched both tactically and physically.
