Liverpool kept their Champions League hopes alive in dramatic fashion after a stoppage-time strike from Alexis Mac Allister secured a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. The late breakthrough masked a largely underwhelming performance but delivered a vital three points at a crucial stage of the season.
Forest’s new head coach Vitor Pereira, taking charge of his first Premier League game, looked set to guide his team to a deserved draw. The hosts were organised, disciplined and resilient throughout, frustrating Liverpool’s attack for long periods and limiting clear chances.
The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time. Mac Allister reacted quickest after a header from Virgil van Dijk was saved, sweeping home the rebound to spark celebrations among the travelling supporters. The goal followed an earlier scare for Forest when Mac Allister had found the net only to see his effort ruled out. The Argentine midfielder had charged down a clearance from Ola Aina, but the ball was adjudged to have struck his arm.
Forest’s frustration grew after the late winner stood following another VAR check. The hosts were unhappy as Hugo Ekitike was in an offside position during the build-up, yet the decision went Liverpool’s way. Pereira’s side ultimately paid the price for failing to respond to the earlier warning, slipping closer to the relegation zone.
The result lifts Liverpool to sixth place, level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United and within six points of Aston Villa. With English clubs performing strongly in European competitions this season, finishing in the top five is expected to secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League. That prospect gives added importance to victories such as this, even when performances fall short of expectations.
Liverpool’s preparations were disrupted before kick-off when Florian Wirtz suffered an injury during the warm-up. The absence of the German playmaker was evident as Liverpool struggled to create meaningful chances. Their attacking play lacked rhythm and urgency until a late rally changed the outcome.
Attention now shifts to the title race, where Arsenal face a testing trip to rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs are under interim boss Igor Tudor, who is tasked with steering the club away from relegation danger. Arsenal’s position at the top has come under threat after just two wins in their last seven league matches, allowing Manchester City to close to within two points.
Elsewhere, Fulham moved into the top half of the table with an impressive 3-1 away win against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. A brace from Raul Jimenez proved decisive for Marco Silva’s side.
Jimenez opened the scoring by heading in a corner from Alex Iwobi before converting a penalty to maintain his perfect Premier League record from the spot. Enzo Le Fee reduced the deficit with a penalty for Sunderland, but Iwobi sealed the victory with Fulham’s third goal.
Crystal Palace also eased pressure on their manager with a narrow 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Selhurst Park. Evann Guessand scored his first goal for Palace in the 90th minute to secure only their second victory in 16 matches.
Palace had earlier been rescued by goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who saved a first-half penalty from Tolu Arokodare. Wolves’ problems worsened when Ladislav Krejci was sent off after kicking the ball away.
The defeat leaves Wolves rooted to the bottom of the table and still at risk of finishing with one of the lowest points totals in Premier League history, with Derby County holding the unwanted record. For Liverpool, however, the late drama could prove decisive as the race for Champions League football intensifies.
