Liverpool Snatch Late 1-0 Win at Nottingham Forest to Fuel Premier League Top Four Charge
Liverpool’s 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest may not have been pretty, but as David Lynch put it on Media Matters for Anfield Index, sometimes you need “one of those last minute winners”. Speaking to host Dave Davis, Lynch dissected a performance that was, in his own words, “awful. Absolutely dreadful” for long stretches, yet ultimately decisive in the race for Champions League football.
The win moves Liverpool level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United in a congested Premier League battle for the top five. In a season defined by inconsistency, this was about survival, resilience and seizing the moment.
Forest Storm and Liverpool Survival
Lynch did not sugar-coat the opening 45 minutes at the City Ground.
“It was horrendous that first half,” he said. “They just could not keep the ball, they could not create any threat.”
Forest dominated territorially and physically. “Forest absolutely dominated Liverpool. Liverpool were not good. Wasn’t part of a plan. It was 100% Liverpool were awful,” Lynch added. Yet within that chaos, there was a defensive discipline that proved decisive.
After Alisson’s early save from Callum Hudson Odoi, Liverpool tightened up. “From the fourth to the 45th minute Liverpool were just like right, we’re not giving up good opportunities here,” Lynch explained. “They will not get good shots. And they did that.”
Forest registered 12 first half efforts, yet much of the threat was managed. “Forest XG from the first half has actually been revised down to like 0.79 from 12 shots,” Lynch noted, highlighting that one big chance accounted for much of that total. “That shows you Liverpool defended the box well.”
The centre backs were pivotal. “The centre halves and the entire back four and Alisson of course making that crucial save at the start, they were absolutely key,” he said, even suggesting Ibrahima Konate “could have been a shout for man of the match”.
Alexis Mac Allister’s Decisive Impact
The winning goal, eventually credited after an earlier effort was disallowed for handball, came via Alexis Mac Allister. Lynch was clear on the decision. “We all know the rule. It doesn’t matter who scored the goal… that would have been disallowed and rightly so.”
Mac Allister’s deeper role has been scrutinised this season, and Lynch believes context matters. “I just don’t think Mac Allister can be in that deep two… particularly away from home. I just think his lack of physicality is getting exposed over and over again.”
Photo: IMAGO
However, once advanced, his instincts took over. “He gets on the end of things, he’s got a really good nose for that sort of thing. It isn’t a coincidence. He’s in the positions to do that and sniffs out goals.”
In a match defined by margins, that quality proved decisive.
Rio Ngumoha Cameo Changes Game
If Mac Allister delivered the finish, Rio Ngumoha provided the spark. Introduced late on, the youngster transformed Liverpool’s attacking threat.
“He just added a new dimension to Liverpool,” Lynch said. “He pushed Forest back. They were scared of his dribbling.”
Ngumoha created 0.42 expected assists in limited minutes. “It’s a great bit of play that’s just all Rio. He gets the ball, stands his man up, beats him, and then provides quality on top of it.”
With Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo struggling, Lynch even floated the idea of a start. “If he keeps making these contributions… I think it might be time to turn to Rio from the start from time to time.”
Premier League Race Intensifies
Beyond the performance, the context matters most. “It’s a big win as well in terms of the top four top five race,” Lynch stressed. “Chelsea showed again this weekend they’re flawed. Manchester United haven’t eradicated all their problems.”
Liverpool now sit level on points with both rivals. The message, according to Lynch, is simple. “Just winning games by hook or by crook… because if you win a few on the bounce in this league that the picture starts to look suddenly very very rosy for you.”
It was not vintage Liverpool. It was not dominant. But in a Premier League season where margins define destiny, this was about grit. As Lynch concluded, “You are going to have to nick some points at times… nice to see them do that rather than be dropping the points.”
In the race for Champions League football, that late 1-0 at Nottingham Forest may yet prove pivotal.