A last-minute goal from Darwin Nunez saw Liverpool FC beat a valiantly fighting Nottingham Forest to claim three vital points in the Championship
The last time Liverpool FC celebrated a Premier League away win in Nottingham was in 1984, and Jürgen Klopp’s team were determined to end that run. However, it was a tough game from the outset for LFC, who started the 27th matchday as league leaders. Nottingham, for whom coach Nuno Esperito Santo fielded four fresh faces – Sels, Omobamidele, Dominguez and Hudson-Odoi – compared to the 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, piled on the pressure from the outset.
Origi gave Nottingham their first lead in the 15th minute, his shot from the second row narrowly missing the Reds’ goal. Liverpool, who also started the game with four new signings (Konaté, Robertson, Mac Allister and Luis Diaz) after their 3-0 win over Southampton, initially struggled and had goalkeeper Kelleher to thank for not going behind. The Irishman made a strong one-on-one save from Elanga (25′).
Omobamidele saves on the line
The Reds only got into the game better afterwards: Luis Diaz had the first big chance to take the lead. His shot from close range was deflected just over the bar by central defender Murillo (28). The teams went into the break goalless.
Robertson then had the next chance to take the lead after the restart: The left-back took an unintended clearance from Dominguez directly, but Omobamidele saved on the line for Forest (50′).
The introduction of former Berlin player Awoniyi gave the home side fresh impetus in attack, and the Nigerian was involved in the next good opportunity for the home side shortly after coming on as a substitute in the 65th minute. After the striker had secured a ball in the penalty area, Toffolo fed the free-standing Elanga, who shot narrowly wide of the goal from nine meters (66′).
With the last action: Darwin heads Liverpool to victory
Ten minutes later, Diaz set off on a sprint from his left wing and, after a one-two, looked to finish from around 18 meters. However, the Colombian put his shot just wide of the post (76′). In the closing stages, the Reds pressed once more for the lucky punch, but Forest goalkeeper Sels kept the score level with a great reflex save. Murillo had unintentionally deflected a corner towards his own goal, but his keeper made a strong save from close range (90.+5). Just when it looked as though Nottingham would take the points, Darwin Nunez struck the heart of the Tricky Trees. Hudson-Odoi should have cleared the ball after a corner, but the former Leverkusen man lost the ball to Mac Allister. His subsequent cross found the head of Darwin, who nodded in from close range (90.+9).
In the end, the Reds secured the important away treble that ended Liverpool’s long winless streak in Nottingham. Nottingham Forest are back in action next Sunday (3pm) when they host Brighton. Liverpool face Sparta Prague in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday (6.45pm).
