Why Liverpool Winner vs Nottingham Forest Wasn't Ruled Out Despite Player Being Offside

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 an earlier goal from the same player being controversially ruled out by VAR for offside.[1][2][4]

Arne Slot's side endured one of their worst performances of the season, described by former captain Jamie Carragher as a "horror show" in the first half. Forest, buoyed by new manager Vitor Pereira, dominated proceedings and created the best chances, including a glaring miss by Callum Hudson-Odoi inside the opening five minutes.[1]

The turning point came deep into stoppage time. Mac Allister thought he had won it at 90'+7' with a close-range finish, but VAR intervened moments earlier on a similar effort, disallowing it for offside. Liverpool players were furious, yet the second goal stood. Reports indicate it was not flagged for offside, possibly due to a marginal onside position or a failure in the semi-automated offside technology to detect interference—sparking debates on VAR consistency.[1][2]

The win propelled Liverpool to 45 points, level with Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for Champions League spots (6th place). Forest, on 27 points in 17th, remain in relegation peril but can take heart from their display.[2][3]

Highlights from NBC Sports and Sky Sports captured the chaos: Forest's pressure, Liverpool's resilience, and Mac Allister's redemption. This result underscores Premier League drama, where fortune favors the bold—even on off-days.[5][7]

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