Mac Allister’s 97th-Minute Winner Secures Dramatic Liverpool Victory

NOTTINGHAM (Azat TV) – Liverpool secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday, February 22, 2026, thanks to a sensational 97th-minute winner from midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. The late goal, coming after an earlier effort was disallowed, snatched crucial Premier League points for Arne Slot’s side in a game where they largely struggled, flattening Forest in Vitor Pereira’s first league match in charge.

Dramatic Finish at City Ground

The match, which had been largely devoid of clear-cut chances for long periods, exploded into life in its closing minutes. Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister initially thought he had broken the deadlock in the 89th minute, bundling the ball into the net after a save from Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. However, after a VAR review, the goal was controversially ruled out for handball, as the ball was deemed to have struck Mac Allister’s elbow during the scramble, despite also hitting his back, as the player later told Sky.

Undeterred, Mac Allister seized his second opportunity deep into stoppage time. Following a long throw from Joe Gomez, a header from Virgil van Dijk was saved by Ortega, but Mac Allister was quick to react, tucking in the rebound to secure a memorable win for Liverpool. The goal sparked delirious celebrations among Liverpool fans and left Forest manager Vitor Pereira incandescent with rage, as he questioned the decision-making surrounding the play. Subsequent checks confirmed Van Dijk was onside, allowing the goal to stand.

Liverpool’s Late Game Heroics and Performance

Liverpool’s performance throughout the game was described by BBC Sport as ‘uninspiring for long periods,’ with manager Arne Slot’s side struggling to establish their usual dominance. They managed just three touches in the Forest box in the first half and faced 12 shots, their most since a 6-1 defeat at Stoke in 2015. Key players like Mohamed Salah appeared to be having an off day, with Salah visibly unhappy after being substituted in the 78th minute alongside Cody Gakpo, making way for Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha.

Despite their struggles, the late victory underscores a growing trend for Liverpool, who have become accustomed to dramatic finishes this season. While Mac Allister’s goal was not their latest winner (Rio Ngumoha scored in the 100th minute against Newcastle earlier in the season), it significantly boosted their Premier League campaign, moving them level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea and Manchester United in fifth at the time of the match.

Nottingham Forest’s Strong Showing Under Pereira

For Nottingham Forest, the defeat was a cruel blow, especially given their impressive display under new manager Vitor Pereira. This was Pereira’s first league game in charge, and his side, buoyed by a midweek European win over Fenerbahce, delivered a promising performance. Pereira kept faith with the starting XI that won in Turkey, and they dominated the first half, creating several chances. Callum Hudson-Odoi was denied by a great save from Alisson early on, and Nikola Milenkovic headed wide in the second half, highlighting Forest’s missed opportunities.

Forest’s resolute defence and energetic midfield kept Liverpool at bay for almost the entire match, demonstrating the positive impact of Pereira’s early tenure. The team’s ability to press high and control possession for significant periods against a top-tier opponent like Liverpool suggests a competitive future, despite the heartbreaking result. Forest remains 17th in the Premier League table, two points clear of the relegation zone.

Florian Wirtz Injury Concerns for Liverpool

Adding to Liverpool’s challenges on the day was the last-minute withdrawal of star playmaker Florian Wirtz during the warm-up. Wirtz, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last summer for an initial £116 million, was replaced by Curtis Jones in the starting lineup. Manager Arne Slot later revealed that Wirtz was suffering from a back complaint, stating the player ‘wasn’t able to be 100% or even close to 100%,’ as reported by Yahoo Sports. While Slot expressed cautious optimism about Wirtz’s prognosis, his absence undoubtedly affected Liverpool’s attacking rhythm, particularly given his impressive form this season with six goals and eight assists across all competitions.

The dramatic late victory against a resilient Nottingham Forest side underscores Liverpool’s enduring fighting spirit, even on days when their performance is not at its peak. Such wins, secured in the dying moments, are often seen as hallmarks of title-contending teams, providing a significant psychological boost while simultaneously highlighting areas for tactical improvement under manager Arne Slot.