Key Takeaways:
- Liverpool claimed a dramatic 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest with a goal from Alexis Mac Allister in the 97th minute
- Vítor Pereira’s Forest side remain only two points clear of the relegation zone after last night’s defeat
- The match featured 12 first-half shots from Forest, but Liverpool’s Alisson faced few direct threats on goal
Match Overview
Alexis Mac Allister grabbed Liverpool all three points with a dramatic goal deep into stoppage time, ensuring a hard-fought 1-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest. The result leaves Vítor Pereira’s team in a precarious position, just two points above the relegation places after a tense contest at the City Ground.
⏱️😮💨 pic.twitter.com/kbuYyAsmU8
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 22, 2026
First Half: Missed Opportunities and Disruptions
Liverpool’s preparation suffered an early setback when Florian Wirtz sustained an injury during the warm-up, forcing a late change to the starting line-up. This disruption appeared to affect Liverpool’s rhythm, and they struggled to find their attacking fluency in the opening exchanges. Aside from a wayward header from Hugo Ekitike, the visitors created little of note.
The hosts generated the first major opportunity as a free-kick, awarded following an accidental clash of heads, led to Murillo unleashing a powerful strike that required a Liverpool defender’s intervention. Regular injury stoppages fragmented play throughout the first half, limiting both teams’ momentum. Despite Nottingham Forest producing 12 attempts on goal during this period, Alisson remained largely untested between the posts.
Forest finished the opening half pressing for an advantage, nearly taking the lead on the cusp of half-time when Elliot Anderson’s fierce drive whistled over the bar with Alisson scrambling in desperation.
Second Half: Forest on Top but Liverpool Stand Firm
Pereira’s side continued in the ascendancy after the break, with Liverpool showing little improvement following the interval. Callum Hudson-Odoi crafted an excellent crossing opportunity, picking out Nikola Milenković, but the defender’s header drifted wide.
Opportunities were scarce as the match developed, and Liverpool’s attacking struggles persisted. Arne Slot made a double substitution with 15 minutes remaining in an attempt to inspire his side, but these like-for-like changes offered little tangible improvement.
Late Drama and Match-Winning Moment
On his Premier League managerial debut, Pereira responded with a series of substitutions, aiming to snatch a decisive goal that would have provided Forest with valuable breathing room above the drop zone. Despite late efforts from Morgan Gibbs-White and Ibrahim Sangaré, neither managed to find the breakthrough.
Liverpool were almost left ruing their missed opportunities when Ola Aina’s clearance ricocheted off Mac Allister’s arm and into the net, only for the goal to be ruled out. Remarkably, Mac Allister would not be denied a second time, reacting quickest to a rebound in the 97th minute to slot home from close range. The Argentine’s last-gasp strike boosts Liverpool’s push for a top-four finish and leaves Forest anxiously looking over their shoulders in the race for survival.
