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Mac Allister’s Stoppage-Time Strike Keeps Liverpool’s Champions League Dream Alive at Forest

Liverpool’s pursuit of a top-four finish took a dramatic twist at the City Ground, where Alexis Mac Allister delivered a stoppage-time winner to sink Nottingham Forest 1-0 and breathe fresh life into the Reds’ Champions League ambitions.

The Argentine midfielder struck in the 96th minute to finally break Forest’s resistance, moments after seeing a potential winner chalked off by VAR. In a contest defined by frustration and missed opportunities, his persistence ultimately spared Liverpool’s misfiring frontline — including Mohamed Salah — from what would have been a damaging stalemate.

The victory, achieved without the injured Florian Wirtz, may yet prove decisive in a fiercely contested race for Europe’s elite competition.

Forest’s Early Control and Liverpool’s Unease

From the outset, the home side exposed Liverpool’s defensive frailties. Inside two minutes, Callum Hudson-Odoi slipped in behind Dominik Szoboszlai, forcing Alisson Becker into swift action. The Brazilian’s aggressive positioning prevented an early breakthrough, but it was an early warning Liverpool struggled to heed.

Forest dictated much of the first half, pressing high and unsettling a Liverpool midfield recalibrated at the eleventh hour following Wirtz’s injury in the warm-up. Their control, however, lacked a clinical edge. Despite fashioning more than one clear opening, the hosts failed to convert territory into tangible reward — a theme that would haunt them.

Liverpool, by contrast, laboured to progress the ball with fluency. Salah was frequently isolated, while the visitors’ build-up play lacked the incision that has traditionally defined their attacking identity. At half-time, the expected goals told a story of Forest superiority, yet the scoreline remained stubbornly blank.

Jones Denied, Tension Mounts

The second half brought greater urgency from the visitors. Curtis Jones, thrust into the starting XI following Wirtz’s late withdrawal, nearly altered the narrative. A sharp cut-back found him unmarked six yards from goal, but Stefan Ortega reacted instinctively, extending a crucial boot to preserve parity.

It was a pivotal moment. Liverpool, who have collected a significant proportion of their points this season from winning positions, were facing the prospect of dropped points at a stage of the campaign where margins are unforgiving. Entering the weekend, only a handful of points separated several sides battling for Champions League qualification — an environment where resilience can outweigh style.

As the clock ticked into the final minutes, the tension became palpable. Liverpool believed they had found salvation when Ortega produced a stunning stop to deny Hugo Ekitike, only for Mac Allister to force the loose ball home after pressing Ola Aina into a hurried clearance. VAR, however, intervened, ruling the effort out for handball.

For many, that would have signalled the end.

Persistence Rewarded

Yet Mac Allister refused to fade into frustration. Deep into stoppage time, Virgil van Dijk rose highest to meet a delivery, guiding a clever knock-down into a crowded penalty area. Mac Allister reacted quickest, steering the ball beyond Ortega to seal a priceless victory.

It was his latest contribution in a season increasingly defined by decisive midfield interventions. Since his arrival at Anfield, the Argentine has developed a reputation for late-game composure, and this strike — arriving in the 96th minute — may stand among his most significant.

For Forest, the defeat compounds mounting pressure near the lower reaches of the table. Dominant for long stretches, they ultimately lacked the cutting edge required to capitalise on Liverpool’s vulnerability. In a campaign where survival battles often hinge on narrow margins, such missed opportunities carry weight.

What It Means for Liverpool

Liverpool’s performance was far from vintage. Their attacking rhythm misfired, and their defensive structure wavered under sustained pressure. Yet elite sides often define their seasons not by fluency but by resolve.

With the Champions League race tightening and fixtures dwindling, securing three points in adverse circumstances could prove transformative. Historically, Liverpool have built European qualification campaigns on late drama — and this felt like another chapter in that tradition.

As the Reds continue their pursuit of a top-four berth, Mac Allister’s composure under pressure may be remembered as a turning point.

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