Liverpool scored deep into second half injury time to salvage all three points at the City Ground after beating Nottingham Forest 1-0. Darwin Nunez came off the bench to score the winning goal after a controversial moment occurred just minutes before the late winner. It’s back to back late heartbreak for Forest after the 1-0 loss to Manchester United in the week.
Nuno Espírito Santo made four changes from the defeat in the FA Cup. Matz Sels and Nicolas Dominguez both returned to the side with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Andrew Omobamidele joining them. Matt Turner, Felipe, Danilo and Taiwo Awoniyi all came out the side. Jurgen Klopp made the same number of changes to his side that beat Championship Southampton in the Cup. Ibrahima Konate, Andrew Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz all returned to the side as Klopp put out a strengthened side for their return to Premier League action.
The first half had very little chances. The biggest chance coming to the home side. Former Liverpool man Divock Origi playing the ball behind the defence for Anthony Elanga who went one on one with Caoimhin Kelleher but was denied by the Irish keeper. Elanga playing a more central roll and trying to use his pace to get in behind the Liverpool defence.
That was the best chance any team got as they went in goalless at the interval. Liverpool were getting the best out of cutting the ball back to the edge of the box from a wide position but none of their efforts troubled Sells. Forest were trying to hit the visitors on the counter attack as they were struggling to sustain the ball for a long period of time.
Forest had another big chance in the second half through Elanga. Harry Toffolo from the left side pulled the ball across the box for Elanga to shoot first time but his shot went narrowly wide of the bottom corner. Another big chance for the Swede who has five goals to his name this season.
Sels then made a brilliant save late on to keep Forest in the game. A Konstantinos Tsmikas corner seemed to hit the back of Murillo and Sels quick reactions prevented the ball from crossing the line. A big save from the keeper who hasn’t put a foot wrong since joining the Reds on deadline day in January.
Then right at the death, Liverpool found the winner. Forest failed to clear from a corner which saw Alexis Mac Allister send the ball towards the far post for substitute Darwin Nunez to head into the back of the net. A tenth league goal of the season for the 24 year old and a key one for Liverpool’s title charge.
That was the final action case of the afternoon as Liverpool secured all three points late on. A tough pill to take for Nuno’s side after a battling display. It’s another afternoon where Forest will feel let down by the officials with Forest not receiving the ball back following a head injury while they were in possession just minutes before the goal. The Reds are now 17th in the table with a trip to the South Coast to face Brighton & Hove Albion next up on the cards. A big win for Liverpool as they stretch a winning run to six games in all competitions. The Reds maintain their place at the top and go four points clear ahead of Manchester City who have a game in hand. It is Europa League action next for Klopp’s side who travel to Czech Republic to face Sparta Prague.
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