Liverpool mascot's whirlwind ordeal at the City Ground

A young Liverpool fan endured a whirlwind end to the Reds' Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp's side maintained their place at the top of the table thanks to Darwin Nunez's 99th-minute winner which sent the travelling support into raptures and enraged all associated with the east Midlands outfit.

Forest players, coaches and even owner Evangelos Marinakis made passionate protestations of the goal that came minutes after referee Paul Tierney incorrectly restarted play following a head injury to Ibrahima Konate.

Cries of 'cheat' could be heard from sections of the City Ground after the final whistle, with some home supporters near the Liverpool dugout particularly animated in dissent.

Footage circulating on social media shows Reds defender Andy Robertson stepping in retrieve the young mascot from the scary position as the club's backroom staff made their exit from the hostile environment.

The youngster was then seen in happier spirits on the pitch, taking in the acclaim of the Liverpool supporters in the arms of Harvey Elliot.

Elliot, who started the game on the right wing in the absence of Mohamed Salah, could be seen wearing the jersey of Liverpool cult hero Divock Origi, who joined Forest last summer.

The guided tour was complete with an embrace from Klopp in the tunnel some time later. The German could be heard saying: 'Tears are dry again. There's no reason to cry anymore.'

Meanwhile, Forest's owner Marinakis is facing an FA rap for storming the players’ tunnel and confronting match officials after Nunez's winner on Saturday.

Multiple coaches and home players surrounded Tierney after the game, with Marinakis also on the pitch.

The Greek then stormed the tunnel after the match and confronted match officials, with the owner asking why Forest had repeatedly seen decisions go against them this season.

Coach Steven Reid was sent off and unused substitute Felipe was booked for their protests.

Boss Nuno Espirito Santo was visibly fuming but refused to risk an FA charge for bad-mouthing the referee.

When pushed to comment on the situation, the Portuguese said: ‘I will not comment on the referee. Don't insist. It was a tough week for us because it's a repeated situation.’