Liverpool left it painfully late at the City Ground, but a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Alexis Mac Allister sealed a 1-0 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.
While the decisive moment sparked celebrations, the midfielder was quick to admit the performance itself fell short of expectations.
In a tense contest that looked destined to drift towards a goalless draw, Arne Slot’s side finally found a breakthrough deep into added time.
Operating in the No.10 role, Mac Allister reacted fastest to a loose ball in the penalty area and rifled home in the seventh minute of stoppage time to snatch all three points.
The goal came after late drama moments earlier, when the Argentine thought he had already won it, only for VAR to rule out his 89th-minute effort for handball.
Yet rather than letting frustration creep in, Mac Allister stayed switched on and made his second chance count.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, the Liverpool midfielder summed up his emotions honestly.
“Mixed feelings to be honest,” Mac Allister said.
“I love scoring, I love winning, so in that sense I think it’s a really good day.
“But on the other hand, I don’t think we played very well. There’s plenty of things we need to improve, but it’s always nicer when you win.”
He added: “Looking back at the chaotic closing stages, Mac Allister revealed he felt another opening was coming, even after his first goal was chalked off.”I thought I was going to get another one even before the throw-in,” the world cup winner explained.
“I told Hugo [Ekitike] that this was going to be our goal and our situation.
“I don’t know if it was in that one or the next one, but I had another opportunity and I’m glad that it went in.”
The self-criticism didn’t stop there. In his post-match comments to BBC Sport, Mac Allister was frank in his assessment of Liverpool’s overall display, particularly before the break.
“We need to analyse [the game] during the week but the first half wasn’t good at all,” he admitted.
“Positioning, intensity, pressing – nothing was good.
“Well, maybe how we defended our box, because we blocked some shots.”
The second half showed marginal improvement, but the midfielder made it clear the Reds are capable of much more.
“But it was not good and it was not our standards,” he continued.
“In the second half, I wouldn’t say it was good, but it was a little bit better.
“We had some chances and the most important thing is that we won the game.”
In the end, Mac Allister’s composure under pressure ensured Liverpool left the City Ground with a priceless three points.
However, as the title race intensifies, his message was clear: late winners are welcome, but performances must rise if the Reds are to stay ahead of the pack.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
