Mac Allister’s last-gasp winner gives Liverpool points at Nottingham Forest

Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister rescued a vital victory for Liverpool in their 97th-minute clash against Nottingham Forest, scoring the decisive goal that secured three precious points for the Reds in their Premier League encounter at the City Ground on Sunday. The dramatic winner came after an initial disallowance for handball that had incensed Liverpool manager Arne Slot, with replays showing the ball had struck Forest defender Ola Aina's clearance before deflecting off Mac Allister's back and past goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, who had earlier saved Hugo Ekitiké's header. Liverpool's performance had been uncharacteristically stodgy throughout the match, particularly in the first half when they managed only two shots and three touches in the opposition box, leaving their supporters fearing a costly defeat against opponents who had just changed managers. The victory marked a significant moment for Liverpool under Slot, whose side had struggled to find their rhythm against a Nottingham Forest team brimming with confidence under new manager Vítor Pereira. The Forest side, who had secured an impressive 3-0 win at Fenerbahce in midweek, named an unchanged team despite their late return from Turkey, showing the impact Pereira had already made on the squad. Liverpool, conversely, seemed affected by the absence of Florian Wirtz who pulled out of the warm-up, with Curtis Jones replacing him and failing to influence the game as his side appeared disjointed and second-best for long periods. Forest's aggressive approach from the first whistle, exemplified by players like Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic attempting ambitious efforts, kept Liverpool's defense on edge and Alisson busy in goal. Ultimately, it was Mac Allister's persistence that proved decisive, with the 17-year-old substitute Rio Ngumoha playing a key role in the buildup to the winner after replacing Mohamed Salah. The goal lifted Liverpool to level points with Chelsea and Manchester United in the league table, while dealing a blow to Forest's recent momentum. For Slot, the victory provided a much-needed boost after his team's abysmal first-half display, while Pereira will reflect on what might have been had his side held on for what would have been a valuable result in his first league game in charge. The dramatic late finish perfectly encapsulated the unpredictable nature of the Premier League, where even the most dominant performances can be undone by a moment of quality in the final seconds.