Liverpool (H) 22/02/26

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool

                                                        Mac Allister 90+7'

The City Ground atmosphere has been short of what is usually is this season. The fortress that kept them up in their first two seasons was now a place not many opponents feared. But if there was one fixture that could reignite the fans spark, it would be the visit of Liverpool.

Arne Slot is yet to beat Forest in his reign as Liverpool boss. Their most recent encounter saw Forest leave Anfield with three points after a 3-0 win. Last season, this exact fixture was seen as a game between title contenders. Now, Liverpool find themselves in 6^th, needing a win to keep them in the top four race whilst Forest sit 17^th just two points above the drop zone. Vitor Pereira was taking charge of his first Premier League game as Reds’ boss but his opening match as manager was on Thursday in the Europa League away at Fenerbahce. His side completely dismantled the Turkish side as they confidently won 3-0. Pereira named an unchanged XI from this game. It would be difficult for him today as the last six Forest managers have lost their first Premier League game in charge. Liverpool’s last fixture also saw them win 3-0. This came at home against Brighton in the FA Cup to see them progress to the fifth round. Slot originally named two changes from this game: Gravenberch for Jones and Ekitike for Chiesa. However, Wirtz picked up an injury in the warmup so Jones came back in. Could Forest complete the double over Liverpool for the first time since 1962/63?

The confidence from Forest’s performance in midweek was clearly showing this afternoon. They had an early effort well saved by Alisson. Sangare pinched the ball off Jones in midfield before playing a ball over the top for Hudson-Odoi to run onto. The winger managed to shrug off Szoboszlai and get a shot off but Alisson rushed off his line and made himself big to make the save. The hosts continued to dominate and put pressure on Liverpool. However, for all their chances none of them were clear cut until stoppage time. After persistence and determination from the red shirts, they won the ball back deep into Liverpool’s half. After some lovely play down the left, the ball ended up with Anderson in the corner of the box. He took a few touches before letting fly but his attempt whistled just over the crossbar.

Unexpectedly, Forest had been in complete control for the first 45, apart from a five minute spell from the visitors. As usual, it was that final finish or pass lacking in the final third that was costing them of a deserved lead. You could say that Liverpool were not up to their usual standard, perhaps down to losing the creativity of Wirtz, but you couldn’t take away Forest’s work rate, desire and press. They had stopped the visitors having a shot on target and had limited them to an XG of 0.06 with Liverpool’s attackers looking toothless.

Forest hoped to replicate their first half performance in the second 45 and they almost found a well earned lead. Liverpool had cleared an Anderson corner but it came back out to the midfielder and his teammate Hudson-Odoi. They linked up before Hudson-Odoi whipped the ball back into the area. Milenkovic made a run towards the near post but his header bounced just wide of the woodwork. That was the Reds’ 13^th shot of the game. This had woken Liverpool up and they began to look like themselves. Gakpo received the ball on the left and cut inside before firing a ball to the back post for Salah. He headed the ball back into the six yard box where Jones took on a close range effort first time. However, Ortega stuck out a leg to make a brilliant save. This was Liverpool’s first shot on target of the match.

The visitors continued to pile on the pressure but they couldn’t do anything with it as Forest dealt with everything coming their way. Both managers turned to their benches in the hope they would make an impact. Forest did almost take a late lead. Gibbs-White’s shot was blocked by Robertson but it landed to Sangare on the edge of the box. He chested it down, let it bounce and struck it sweetly but the effort flashed just wide of the left post.

No one could be prepared for the drama that was about to unfold. In the last minute of normal time, Forest thought their hearts were broken. Ngumoha got in a cross from the right which was met by the head of Ekitike. Ortega got down well to make the save before Aina shouldered the ball up to be able to volley it clear. However, the clearance just hit the jumping in Mac Allister and flew over the head of Ortega and into the net. The unluckiest way to concede for Forest. The goal was checked by Paul Tierney at Stockley Park and he saw it went in off the Argentine’s elbow, meaning it had to be disallowed. The roar around the City Ground was as if the hosts had scored themselves.

Forest just had to hold on for one last Liverpool attack in the 97^th minute and they had the least of what they deserved in a point. Gomez took a quick throw in to Szoboszlai on the right. The Hungarian was squared up to by Dominguez but he managed to whip in a cross towards the back post. van Dijk got to the ball first and headed towards goal which Ortega got down to save. Unfortunately for him, the ball landed into the path of Mac Allister to poke home from five yards. Forest thought they had another let off as there was a lengthy VAR check for offside on van Dijk but he was being played on by the toe of Ola Aina. Utter heartbreak for Forest.

Forest continue to sit two points above the relegation zone with just eleven games remaining. Liverpool stay in 6^th but are level on points with both Manchester United and Chelsea who occupy the spaces ahead of them.

I am so proud of the performance that the players put out. They were fighting for every ball, doing the hard yards and working tirelessly especially Anderson and Sangare in midfield who were my two standouts. The thing that has cost us yet again is not taking our chances. This just shows how much we miss Wood. Our defence is so solid but we need the forward players to be scoring up the other end to lift pressure. Williams also played brilliantly and he kept Salah quiet as he didn’t register a single shot. The way and timing of how we conceded was so disappointing as a point was the least we deserved. However, if we continue to play this way then we will be fine.

Forest: Ortega; Williams, Murillo, Milenkovic, Aina; Sangare, Anderson (Dominguez 77’): Hudson-Odoi (Ndoye 66’), Gibbs-White (McAtee 90’), Hutchinson (Bakwa 66’) ; Jesus (Lucca 77’)

Liverpool: Alisson; Kerkez (Robertson 83’), van Dijk, Konate, Szoboszlai; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones (Gomez 83’); Gakpo (Ngumoha 77’), Ekitike, Salah (Chiesa 77’)