With Nottingham Forest eager to put distance between themselves and the relegation zone, they welcomed an in-form Liverpool to the City Ground on Saturday afternoon. Jürgen Klopp’s injury-ravaged side have relied on youth talents in recent weeks, and have reaped the rewards for doing so.
NFO: Sels; Toffolo, Murillo; Omobamidele, Williams; Yates, Domínguez; Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Origi; Elanga
LIV: Kelleher; Robertson, van Dijk, Konaté, Bradley; Clark, Gomez, Mac Allister; Díaz, Gakpo, Elliott
A rather uninspiring – and in truth completely forgettable – first half saw Nottingham Forest produce the best chance as ex-Red Divock Origi sent Anthony Elanga to chase a through ball, only to be denied by Caoimhin Kelleher’s outstretched leg.
Embed from Getty ImagesThere were chances for Luis Díaz and Andy Robertson to fire Liverpool into the lead – but neither of the duo could pick out the back of the net, and instead it was the hosts that came closest once again through Elanga as the Swedish forward send his shot wide of the target.
The real action was reserved for stoppage time at the City Ground though. Nottingham Forest had been in possession of the ball as play stopped to allow Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté access to treatment for a head injury – but when play resumed, it was Kelleher that found himself with the ball.
Liverpool kept possession, ultimately allowing Alexis Mac Allister to fizz a cross into the box that was met by a glancing header from Darwin Núñez – sealing a late victory for Klopp’s Reds, albeit in a controversial fashion as the clock had ticked past the eight allocated minutes of stoppage time.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Reds will not complain though – their first-ever Premier League win at the City Ground confirms that they will remain at the top of the league standings when they face Manchester City next Sunday.
As for Nottingham Forest though, they remain just four points clear of Luton Town – and with the threat of a points deduction for an alleged financial breach looming over the club, matters could quickly turn sour at the City Ground.
