Lacklustre Liverpool Snatch Late Victory Against Nottingham Forest

In a tense Premier League clash at the City Ground on February 22, 2026, Liverpool secured a dramatic 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest with a stoppage-time goal from Alexis Mac Allister, despite delivering one of their poorest performances of the season.[1][5]

Forest dominated early proceedings, creating the best chances under new manager Vitor Pereira. Callum Hudson-Odoi missed a golden opportunity inside the first five minutes, firing wide after a run into the box, while Alisson Becker denied him at close range later.[1][3] Morgan Gibbs-White was instrumental for the hosts, who took seven of nine shots in the opening 26 minutes and won a central free-kick.[3] Liverpool's first half was labeled a "horror show" by former captain Jamie Carragher, with the team woefully out of sorts.[1]

Halftime arrived at 0-0, and Liverpool showed slight improvement post-interval but struggled throughout. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega recorded just 18 touches, matching or exceeding several outfield stars like Mo Salah.[3] Tension peaked in stoppage time when Mac Allister had a goal ruled out by VAR, leaving the visitors furious. However, in the seventh minute of five added minutes, he pounced to score the winner, sealing three vital points.[1][3][5]

The result propelled Liverpool to 42 points from 26 games, level with Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for Champions League spots (6th place).[1][2] Forest, on 27 points after 27 matches (16th), remain three points above relegation but can take heart from their display amid a tough battle.[1][3] Liverpool ended a run of four draws to start 2026, aiming for back-to-back wins.[3]

Key performers included Forest's Gibbs-White (6 goals) and Liverpool's Salah (6 assists), but Mac Allister's heroics proved decisive in a match lacking quality until the death.[2][4]

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