Liverpool and Nottingham Forest seemed destined for a draw in a vitally important Premier League match, but Darwin Núñez had other ideas. His header in the final seconds of stoppage time cut down the Trees' hopes for a point and gave the Reds a four-point cushion at the top of the table.
First Half
Forest earned a corner in the opening seconds, but it was cleared. The teams spent the next few minutes feeling each other out with no serious threats on goal. Divock Origi changed that in the 15th minute when his shot went just wide.
Liverpool began to boss the game with possession, but Forest nearly struck on the counterattack, that's when Caoimhin Kelleher made a big kick save. Liverpool got their first chance off the foot of Bobby Clark, but a Forest defender came away with a vital block. The offensive attack for both sides ground to a halt for the rest of the half as the teams entered the dressing level at 0-0.
Second Half
Forest started the second half on the front foot, spending time in the attacking third. Andy Robertson, however, put Liverpool's first shot on goal in the 50th minute, but it was tipped away for a corner. The Reds earned another corner in the 57th minute, but the chance was blocked away as well.
Darwin Núñez came in a sub near the hour mark in hopes of injecting venom into the Liverpool attack. The strategy worked as the Reds looked more dangerous right away. Núñez hit the side netting in the 62nd minute.
The game opened up from that point as Forest put a shot wide moments later. The Reds responded with a corner in the 67th minute, but the keeper claimed the cross. Cody Gakpo went with a strike from a tight angle that did not find the mark.
Luis Díaz took his chance in the 75th minute, but once again the opportunity went wide. Kelleher came up with a big save in the 80th minute to keep the match level. Jayden Danns came on late and immediately caused chaos in the box. His shouts for a penalty after contact in the box went unanswered and he also collected a yellow card for a foul on the goalie.
Núñez forced a save in stoppage time and the Reds also earned a corner. Núñez got a head on it, but the attempt was saved just before it crossed the line. Forest earned a corner moments later but it was Liverpool who earned the decisive set piece in the final seconds.
Kostas Tsimikas took the corner and his cross was blocked. The ball fell back to Tsimikas, who was blacked again. This time the ball went back to Alexis Mac Allister who chipped the ball over the top to Núñez and he did the rest, heading the ball home at the death to give Liverpool the dramatic 1-0 win.
Records Broken
Núñez's last-gasp header not only gave Liverpool a dramatic victory it was the Reds first ever top-flight league victory at Nottingham Forest. They have had three previous meetings in what would now be considered a Premier League fixture, and this is Liverpool's first victory in those contests. Secondly, Núñez's goal, which was officially recorded in the 99th minute, is the latest game-winner scored by Liverpool in the Premier League in club history.
It Ony Takes One
Liverpool have scored multiple goals in their last three League matches and had only been held without a goal once this season (December 17th vs Manchester United). They only recorded two shots on goal for the entire match, but Núñez's header was all they needed to grab all three points.
Super Subs
Núñez's goal is nothing new for Liverpool this season. In fact, his header marked the 21st time a substitute has scored this season, equalling a club record set during the 2005-06 campaign.
LFC Globe Verdict
Liverpool does it again. This team never quits. You can never count them out. Sure the Reds have scored bigger and more important goals in their long history, but Núñez's strike feels like the biggest one of the season and the biggest of his Liverpool career so far. It assures that the Reds will be at the top of the table entering their massive showdown with Manchester City on March 10th at Anfield.
Man Of The Match
Even Before his goal, I was going to give Núñez Man Of The Match. He only played 30 minutes plus stoppage time, but he was clearly Liverpool's best threat as soon as he stepped onto the pitch. A goal from Núñez felt inevitable if time permitted and as it turns out, there was just enough for him to find the back of the net.
What's Next
Liverpool will step away from Premier League action and host Sparta in the Europa League knockout stage. Kickoff is set for Thursday, March 7th at 17:45 GMT from Anfield.
Forest
-None
Liverpool
- Darwin Núñez 90+'
Substitutes
Forest
- Taiwoniyi Awoniyi for Divock Origi 65'
- Dinillo for Nicolas Dominguez 79'
Liverpool
- Wataru Endo for Bobby Clark 60'
- Darwin Núñez for Andy Robertson 60'
- Dominik Szoboszlai for Harvey Elliott 76'
- Kostas Tsimikas for Conor Bradley 84'
- Jayden Danns for Cody Gakpo 84'
