Generally issues simply appear to be written within the stars. With Liverpool trying prone to drop two factors and hand the initiative to Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis within the title race, up stepped Darwin Nunez.
The Reds had by no means gained on the residence of Nottingham Forest within the Premier League period and will simply have fallen behind had Anthony Elanga taken one among two excellent probabilities.
However then within the ninth minute of stoppage time, Forest did not clear a nook, Alexis Mac Allister crossed and Nunez – a second-half substitute – climbed highest to go residence.
The giddy scenes of celebration on the guests’ bench have been matched within the away finish however Forest felt desperately aggrieved. A few minute earlier than the purpose, play had stopped for a head harm to Ibrahima Konate, as Callum Hudson-Odoi formed to cross.
As a substitute of returning possession, Liverpool performed on and although the purpose didn’t develop instantly, Forest have been raging. A purple card was proven to a member of their teaching workers after the ultimate whistle as they surrounded referee Paul Tierney, and abuse rained from the stands.
![Darwin Nunez scored an injury time winner to see Liverpool maintain pace in title race](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/02/17/81958751-13148819-image-a-21_1709399058992.jpg)
Darwin Nunez scored an harm time winner to see Liverpool keep tempo in title race
![The Reds striker headed home the winner in the ninth minute of added time to win the game](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/02/17/81958825-13148819-image-a-30_1709399246025.jpg)
The Reds striker headed residence the winner within the ninth minute of added time to win the sport
![It was despair for Forest who thought they'd earned a vital point in the battle against the drop](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/02/17/81958821-13148819-image-a-31_1709399249226.jpg)
It was despair for Forest who thought they’d earned an important level within the battle in opposition to the drop
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It leaves Forest in deeper peril as they await a potential factors deduction for breaking spending guidelines subsequent month however for Liverpool, a four-trophy haul in Jurgen Klopp’s ultimate season stays a risk.
Divock Origi will at all times be beloved at Liverpool because of his essential objectives, notably within the 2019 Champions League Last, however he seemed within the temper in opposition to his outdated membership right here.
Within the fifteenth minute, the Belgian shook off Andy Robertson on the Forest proper and charged infield, along with his highly effective effort from 25 yards flying inches large.
On the different finish, Luis Diaz’s effort clipped Andrew Omobamidele and spun previous the put up. Even with out a number of key males like Mohamed Salah, Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool have saved driving ahead thanks largely to the emergence of a powerful group of academy merchandise.
Two of these – Conor Bradley and Bobby Clark – made the beginning XI right here whereas Forest left their most harmful ahead Taiwo Awoniyi on the bench, and the Nigerian would absolutely have taken the chance that Anthony Elanga had halfway by the primary half.
Seconds after Alexis Mac Allister had fluffed a superb likelihood for the Reds, Origi despatched Elanga racing past Virgil van Dijk just for Caoimhin Keller to maintain the hassle out along with his toes.
Liverpool tried to make Forest pay immediately. Clark collected on the sting of the field and when his effort hit Omobamidele, Luis Diaz seemed to have a tap-in. The Colombian’s first contact was shaky, although, and that allowed Murillo to bail Forest out with a effective last-ditch clearance.
Within the closing moments of the half, Cody Gakpo headed Mac Allister’s chip throughout purpose and with goalkeeper Matz Sels out of the sport, Forest have been relieved to see no Liverpool participant there to take benefit.
Within the early levels of the second half it was clear Liverpool had moved up a gear with Omobamidele and Murillo at full stretch to maintain them out, the primary to dam Robertson’s goalbound effort and the latter to place his head in the way in which of Mac Allister’s volley.
Each managers despatched for his or her No9s across the hour mark, with Klopp bringing on Darwin Nunez and Nuno Espirito Santo introducing Awoniyi. Nunez was shortly into the motion, firing into the facet netting, earlier than Elanga missed his second superb likelihood of the match.
![Players celebrate with the match winner as Liverpool go four points clear at the top](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/02/17/81960105-13148819-image-a-44_1709401434361.jpg)
Gamers rejoice with the match winner as Liverpool go 4 factors clear on the prime
![Nottingham Forest's Nicolas Dominguez was forced off in the second half with an injury](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/02/17/81958555-13148819-image-a-45_1709401445299.jpg)
Nottingham Forest’s Nicolas Dominguez was compelled off within the second half with an harm
![There was another run-out for Liverpool teen Jayden Danns as a second half substitute](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/02/17/81960113-13148819-image-a-46_1709401481198.jpg)
There was one other run-out for Liverpool teen Jayden Danns as a second half substitute
Callum Hudson-Odoi slipped in Harry Toffolo on the left and Elanga’s first-time end on the far put up wrong-footed Kelleher however slid simply large. Then Awoniyi discovered himself operating on the guests’ centre-backs solely to get himself in a muddle in entrance of purpose.
Now the match was turning into extra open and when Neco Williams was robbed in midfield by Mac Allister, Gakpo ought to have completed higher than slice large from the angle.
As his group struggled to interrupt by, Klopp was rising irritable and needed to be reprimanded by Tierney after a very animated response when Forest gained a free-kick for a foul on Dominguez.
Luis Diaz couldn’t carry him reduction, both, as he fired large from the sting of the field. Kelleher was nonetheless as safe as ever within the Liverpool purpose, making a strong cease to disclaim Hudson-Odoi.
Jayden Danns changed Gakpo and was quickly demanding a penalty when Forest sub Danilo appeared to bundle him over at a nook. If Danns was unfortunate there, he was maybe lucky to be proven solely a yellow card when leaping at Sels and flattening him, although the Forest keeper had the ball in each fingers.
![Bobby Clark was given a start for Liverpool as the Reds continued to trust in their young stars](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/02/17/81958581-13148819-image-a-34_1709399341551.jpg)
Bobby Clark was given a begin for Liverpool because the Reds continued to belief of their younger stars
![Jurgen Klopp looks on as his team struggled to break down a stubborn Forest side](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/02/17/81957703-13148819-image-a-33_1709399339842.jpg)
Jurgen Klopp seems to be on as his group struggled to interrupt down a cussed Forest facet
![For long periods of the game Forest frustrated the Premier League leaders at The City Ground](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/02/17/81957701-13148819-image-a-32_1709399332985.jpg)
For lengthy durations of the sport Forest annoyed the Premier League leaders at The Metropolis Floor
With eight minutes of stoppage time signalled, a sliding Nunez simply failed to achieve Kostas Tsimikas’ low cross and Hudson-Odoi was livid when Awoniyi failed to identify his run after pinching possession from Wataru Endo in midfield.
Forest have been spared the last word punishment because of Sels, who confirmed excellent reflexes to maintain his group degree after a deflection off Murillo’s shoulders.
Forest pushed once more and gained a nook when Gibbs-White’s low drive was blocked by Virgil van Dijk, however ought to have completed higher with a wonderful counter-attacking likelihood. Then got here the controversy, the fury and the successful purpose. How necessary would possibly this be come Could?
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