On Sunday, February 22, 2026, Liverpool traveled to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest in a Premier League clash that ended in dramatic fashion. After 96 minutes of tense, goalless football, Alexis Mac Allister scored in the 97th minute to secure a 1–0 victory for Liverpool.
The result was harsh on Forest, who had outplayed the Reds for much of the match but were undone by a late lapse. This report provides a detailed analysis of the game, including line-ups, tactical approaches, manager reactions, and implications for both teams.
Line-ups
Nottingham Formation: 4-2-3-1
- GK: Stefan Ortega
- Defenders: Neco Williams, Murillo, Nikola Milenković, Ola Aina
- Midfielders: Ibrahim Sangaré, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White
- Attackers: Callum Hudson-Odoi, Omari Hutchinson, Igor Jesus
Liverpool Formation: 4-2-3-1
- GK: Alisson Becker
- Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Andy Robertson
- Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai
- Attackers: Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz
Liverpool suffered a blow before kick-off when Florian Wirtz was injured in the warm-up and replaced by Curtis Jones.
How the Match Was Played
The first half was cagey, with Forest pressing aggressively and Liverpool struggling to create clear chances. Forest’s midfield trio of Sangaré, Gibbs-White, and Anderson disrupted Liverpool’s rhythm, while Hudson-Odoi and Hutchinson provided width and pace.
Liverpool’s best chance in the opening 45 minutes came from a Darwin Núñez header, which was comfortably saved by Ortega. Forest, meanwhile, threatened through Gibbs-White, whose long-range effort forced Alisson into a diving stop.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Forest looked sharper, winning duels and creating half-chances, while Liverpool appeared sluggish. The Reds managed only two shots on target before stoppage time.
The decisive moment came in the 97th minute. After a scramble in the box, Alexis Mac Allister pounced on a loose ball and fired home from close range. VAR briefly reviewed the goal for a possible handball, but it stood, giving Liverpool a dramatic 1–0 win.
Tactical and Technical Analysis
Nottingham Forest
- Pressing Game: Forest pressed high, forcing Liverpool into errors. Their midfield compactness limited Liverpool’s passing lanes.
- Wing Play: Hudson-Odoi and Hutchinson stretched Liverpool’s defense, but lacked clinical finishing.
- Defensive Shape: Milenković and Murillo were solid, but fatigue in stoppage time led to the decisive lapse.
Liverpool
- Midfield Struggles: Without Wirtz, Liverpool lacked creativity. Szoboszlai and Jones were subdued, leaving Mac Allister to shoulder responsibility.
- Defensive Resilience: Van Dijk and Konaté held firm against Forest’s attacks, keeping the scoreline level until the late winner.
- Clinical Edge: Despite being outplayed, Liverpool capitalized on their one clear chance in stoppage time.
Jamie Carragher, analyzing on Sky Sports, described the outcome as a “robbery”, noting that Forest had been the better side for most of the match.
Coaches’ Reactions
Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Slot acknowledged his team’s struggles but praised their resilience: “We were not at our best today, but sometimes football is about finding a way. Alexis showed great composure, and we leave with three points that could be vital in the race for Europe.”
Vítor Pereira (Nottingham Forest)
Pereira expressed frustration at the late defeat: “It is very hard to accept. My players gave everything, and we deserved more. To lose in the last seconds is cruel, but we must take the positives from our performance.”
Man of the Match
Alexis Mac Allister was named Man of the Match. His decisive goal in stoppage time capped a disciplined midfield performance.
Player ratings reflected his impact, with Mac Allister earning an 8/10, while Van Dijk also impressed with a 7.5.
What Next for Both Teams
Liverpool
- League Position: Liverpool climbed to 45 points, strengthening their push for a Champions League spot.
- Concerns: Their lack of creativity without Wirtz is worrying. Slot must find solutions to avoid reliance on late goals.
- Upcoming Fixtures: Matches against Aston Villa and Chelsea will test their top-four credentials.
Nottingham Forest
- League Position: Forest remain in 17th place with 27 points, hovering just above the relegation zone.
- Positives: Their performance against Liverpool showed resilience and tactical discipline under Pereira.
- Challenges: They must convert strong displays into points, especially against relegation rivals.
Conclusion
Liverpool’s 1–0 victory over Nottingham Forest was a classic example of football’s cruelty. Forest dominated large spells but were undone by a stoppage-time strike from Alexis Mac Allister.
For Liverpool, the win keeps their European hopes alive, while Forest must regroup quickly to avoid slipping into the relegation zone.
This match will be remembered for its dramatic ending, the resilience of Liverpool’s defense, and the heartbreak of Forest, who deserved more but were left empty-handed.
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