Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool: Premier League – as it happened

Liverpool secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on February 22, 2026, thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Alexis Mac Allister, despite delivering one of their poorest performances of the season.[1][3]

The match was a tense affair, with Forest dominating much of the play under new manager Vitor Pereira. The hosts, deep in a relegation battle with 27 points from 26 games (7 wins, 6 draws, 13 losses), created the best early chance when Callum Hudson-Odoi missed a golden opportunity inside the first five minutes.[1][2] Liverpool, sitting on 42 points (12-6-8), struggled badly, especially in the first half, which former captain Jamie Carragher branded a "horror show."[1]

Tensions peaked late when Mac Allister thought he had scored, only for VAR to rule it out, leaving Arne Slot's side furious.[1] Undeterred, the Argentine midfielder pounced deep into stoppage time, volleying home to snatch three vital points and move Liverpool level with Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for Champions League qualification.[1][3]

Forest's performance offered hope amid their struggles, but the lack of a goal stung. Key performers included Morgan Gibbs-White (6 goals in 26 games) for Forest and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (6 assists in 18) and Cody Gakpo.[2] The win boosts Liverpool's top-four push, while Forest remain mired near the bottom, just above teams like Fulham (34 points) and Crystal Palace (32).[2]

This gritty result highlights Liverpool's resilience, turning a potential upset into a crucial triumph in the 2025-26 Premier League season.[1]

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