Liverpool secured a massive victory in the Premier League title race this afternoon, with a last gasp header from Darwin Nunez enough to secure a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
It was a close game throughout, with both sides squandering opportunities to open the scoring over the course of the 90 minutes.
Ireland's Caoimhín Kelleher was brilliant once again, making a couple of top class saves to keep his side in the game. His international teammate Andrew Omobamidele also played a part on the opposite side, producing a goal-saving block from a Luis Diaz in the first half.
The draw seemed destined to end in a draw, although Nunez would ultimately have the final say with a header in the ninth minute of injury time.
Darwin Nunez with a HUGE late winner for Liverpool! 😱#NFOLIV #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/aRXUBQ8BlZ
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 2, 2024
However, Nottingham Forest were not pleased with the way that late winner came about.
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Nottingham Forest furious over late decision in Liverpool loss
While there was a sense of euphoria in the Liverpool camp after the final whistle, there were a very different set of emotions on the opposite side.
A number of their staff members surrounded referee Paul Tierney at the end of the game, with former Ireland midfielder Steven Reid eventually receiving a straight red card.
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was seen on the pitch following Liverpool's late winner at the City Ground with the coach Steven Reid seeing a post-match Red card 🟥 pic.twitter.com/E3uXi4AMEG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 2, 2024
It was not entirely clear why they were so upset. Darwin Nunez did score the winner just after the allotted eight minutes of added time had already passed, although Shay Given felt that it all stemmed from an incident involving Ibrahima Konate in injury time.
With Liverpool defending a set-piece late on, the Frenchman went down with a head injury. The referee rightly stopped play, with Nottingham Forest in possession at the time.
However, when he resumed the match, he gave possession to Liverpool. They did not return the ball, then going on to go up the other end of the pitch and winning the corner that led to the winner.
Speaking on Premier Sports after the game, Shay Given summed up why Forest had a right to feel aggrieved.
You feel for Nottingham Forest. Konate went down with a head injury, you see the ball comes to Hudson-Odoi on the left wing, and now the referee blows the whistle.
Nottingham Forest had possession of the ball. The referee made the right decision because it was a head injury and you've got to go and treat that.
My understanding is that he gives the ball back to Liverpool. I know it's a long way from there to goal, but at the same time, if you get the ball back in the final third, you can play from there.
I feel that they gave the ball back to Liverpool and there's a lot of anger towards that decision...
You'd be raging. They worked so hard and put their bodies on the line.
This result will be tough to accept for Nottingham Forest, who are in real relegation trouble ahead of a potential point deduction for financial breaches next week.
As for Liverpool, this late winner will give them belief that they can do something special in the Premier League this season.
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