Premier League Explains VAR Drama After Alexis Mac Allister's Last-Minute Goal

In a thrilling Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool Premier League clash at the City Ground, Alexis Mac Allister experienced VAR rollercoaster emotions, as detailed in the official explanation from referee Anthony Taylor and VAR Paul Tierney[1][2].

The drama peaked in the 89th minute when Forest defender Ola Aina's clearance attempt rebounded off Mac Allister's arm, looping past goalkeeper Stefan Ortega for an apparent Liverpool winner. Mac Allister celebrated, but a swift VAR review overturned it. Taylor announced: "After review, the ball hits the arm of the goal scorer, Liverpool No. 10 [Mac Allister]. Therefore, it's an accidental handball by the goal scorer, so the final decision is a direct free kick."[1][2] Experts confirmed this as correct under IFAB laws, which prohibit goals scored via hand/arm, even accidentally, despite the "sleeve tolerance" debate—Mac Allister argued it hit the top of his arm above the 'T-shirt line'[2]. Liverpool fans felt it harsh, but the intervention was upheld[1].

The plot twisted in the 97th minute of stoppage time. Joe Gomez launched a throw, Trent Alexander-Arnold drifted a cross, and Virgil van Dijk—cleared of offside—flicked it for Mac Allister to smash home the decisive winner[3][4]. A VAR check for Van Dijk's position confirmed no offside, securing a vital 1-0 victory for Arne Slot's out-of-sorts Reds despite their poorest performance this season[1][4].

Forest's Nuno Espírito Santo fumed, echoing frustrations from prior managers, while Mac Allister's brace attempt—denied then delivered—highlighted VAR's chaotic role in the "chaotic Liverpool finale."[2] The Premier League's match center backed Taylor's call, emphasizing law over "common sense" pleas[2]. This late rescue boosted Liverpool's title charge amid VAR scrutiny[1][3].

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