Alexis Mac Allister struck in the 97th minute to hand Liverpool FC a dramatic 1-0 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest FC, leaving Vítor Pereira’s side just two points above the relegation zone.

Liverpool’s preparations were disrupted before kick-off when Florian Wirtz suffered an injury in the warm-up, forcing a late reshuffle to Arne Slot’s starting XI. The visitors struggled to find early rhythm, with their only notable opening of the first half coming from a Hugo Ekitike header that drifted harmlessly over the bar.

Forest carved out the game’s first genuine opportunity. Awarded a free-kick following an accidental clash of heads, Murillo unleashed a fierce effort that was goal-bound until a Liverpool defender intervened with a crucial block.

A stop-start first half, punctuated by several injury delays, prevented either side from building sustained momentum. Despite registering 12 shots, Forest rarely tested Alisson in the Liverpool goal. The hosts came closest just before the break when Elliot Anderson’s powerful drive whistled narrowly over the bar with Alisson scrambling across his line.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Forest on the front foot. Callum Hudson-Odoi delivered an inviting cross that found Nikola Milenković, but the defender’s header drifted just wide of the target.

Chances remained scarce, and Liverpool struggled to impose themselves. Slot turned to his bench in the final quarter-hour, though his changes initially failed to spark a noticeable improvement. Pereira, taking charge of his first Premier League match, also introduced fresh legs in search of a crucial victory that would have moved Forest five points clear of danger.

After late attempts from Morgan Gibbs-White and Ibrahim Sangaré failed to break the deadlock, Forest were left to rue their missed opportunities. In stoppage time, Mac Allister found himself in the right place at the right moment, reacting quickest to convert from close range after a loose ball fell kindly inside the area.

The Argentine’s late intervention secured a vital three points for Liverpool in their push for a top-four finish, while Forest were left anxiously glancing over their shoulders at the tightening relegation battle.