There were unsavoury scenes in the aftermath of Liverpool’s dramatic last-gasp victory over Nottingham Forest as the home side’s chairman made his way to the pitch to vent his anger at the officiating. It was a case of last-gasp glory for the Reds despite a lacklustre display. Jurgen Klopp’s side won 1-0, and will stay top of the Premier League even if Manchester City win at home to Manchester United tomorrow.
In what had been a low-key clash for much of the afternoon, the hosts were left ruing Anthony Elanga’s missed first-half chance, with the winger denied by Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher – before sub Darwin Nunez headed in a winner for the Reds in the ninth and final minute of injury time.
The Uruguayan nodded home from Alexis Mac Allister’s curling cross, and prompted chaos. Clearly unhappy at the game going beyond the initially allocated added time, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis made his way down to the pitchside to wait for referee Paul Tierney.
The official was also surrounded by Forest players and coaches as the away players and fans celebrated wildly. And in the aftermath, Forest coach Steven Reid was shown a red card.
Marianakis himself was restrained as he tried to put his point across. The melee lasted for several minutes before eventually, Forest personnel were ushered down the tunnel.
Watching for Sky Sports, ex-referee Mike Dean was critical of the Forest Chairman, saying: “He shouldn’t be pn the pitch. No way. And I guarantee he will be waiting for the referee in the tunnel. Shouldn’t be on the pitch.”
The unsavoury and dramatic scenes were not in-keeping with much of the game itself, with Liverpool looking lethargic against an organised Forest side. And it was the hosts who had the best chance of the first half, Anthony Elanga denied by Caoimhin Kelleher.
The Reds failed to seriously threaten, although did press forward after the break. And Nunez was brilliantly denied in injury time when his deflected shot was tipped wide by home keeper Matz Sels.
But with the eight minutes of injury time already up, Nuno Espirito Santos could only watch on as his side failed to clear a corner. Mac Allister duly returned the ball into the box, where Nunez managed to direct the ball into the bottom corner.
It prompted wild celebrations as Nunez ran towards the travelling support. And it extends Liverpool’s lead over City to four points, and completes a perfect seven days for Klopp’s side following their wins in the Carabao Cup final and FA Cup.
