Liverpool secured a dramatic late victory at the City Ground, though the manner of their performance has raised eyebrows. Coach Arne Slot described the display as the worst his side has produced this season, admitting that the three points earned were more a matter of fortune than merit.
In front of a lively Nottingham Forest crowd, Liverpool were uncharacteristically subdued, particularly in the first half. Former captain Jamie Carragher did not hold back, labelling Liverpool’s opening 45 minutes a “horror show.” Despite dominating possession in patches during the second half, the Reds struggled to impose their usual rhythm, leaving many observers questioning their form.
Ultimately, Liverpool triumphed 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time strike from Alexis Mac Allister, which followed the late annulment of an earlier goal by the Argentine midfielder in the 89th minute. Slot was candid in his post-match assessment, stating:
“The three points were not deserved. We were extremely poor in the first half – by far our worst of the season. The second half was better, we managed to control the game more, but overall, we did not play to our standard. I feel we have received more than we merited. Perhaps a draw would have been the fairer outcome.”
The match, as Slot admitted, showcased a stark contrast between expectation and execution, with Liverpool scraping a victory that masked deeper issues in their gameplay.
Key Match Facts
| Event | Player | Minute | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disallowed Goal | Alexis Mac Allister | 89′ | Goal ruled out by VAR |
| Winning Goal | Alexis Mac Allister | 90+6′ | Secures 1–0 victory for Liverpool |
| Final Score | – | – | Nottingham Forest 0–1 Liverpool |
| Venue | – | – | City Ground, Nottingham |
This result highlights both Liverpool’s resilience and their inconsistencies. Slot’s frank remarks underline the need for improvement as the team looks ahead to the remainder of the season, where maintaining performance levels will be crucial if they are to challenge for honours.