Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool: Nunez hits last-gasp goal to secure 3 points

Liverpool left it late to beat Nottingham Forest, as Darwin Nunez netted an injury-time winner at the City Ground.

Match Report

Darwin Nunez marked his return to action with a stoppage-time winner to snatch Premier League leaders Liverpool a 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest.

The Uruguay striker headed home in the ninth minute of added time to lift Jurgen Klopp’s injury-hit side four points clear at the top of the table.

It appeared that three games in seven days had caught up with the Merseysiders, but Nunez’s last-gasp winner clinched them a first league win at the City Ground in almost 40 years and 14 matches.

It was cruel luck on Forest, who have now won only one of their last seven league games.

Divock Origi had Forest fans on the edge of their seats with the game’s first shot on goal in the 15th minute as his low 25-yard effort against his former club fizzed past Caoimhin Kelleher’s left-hand post.

Liverpool’s response was immediate, with the returning Luis Diaz’s angled drive being deflected for a corner before Forest should have taken the lead.

Origi’s precise pass sprang Anthony Elanga clear one-on-one with Kelleher, who saved brilliantly with his legs to deny the Sweden forward.

Nottingham Forest v Liverpool – Premier League – The City Ground

Forest defender Murillo then thwarted Diaz in front of goal as a high-tempo first half ebbed and flowed.

Recalled Forest goalkeeper Mats Selz kept Liverpool at bay at the start of the second period, saving from Andy Robertson, back in action after illness, and Alexis Mac Allister in quick succession.

Liverpool stepped up the pressure but were struggling to carve out chances and Klopp sent on Darwin Nunez for his first appearance in four matches along with Wataru Endo.

Teenager Bobby Clark made way for Nunez having made his first Premier League start, while Robertson went off for Japan midfielder Endo.

Nuno was quickly into the action, firing into the side-netting, but it was Forest who threatened to break the deadlock when Elanga’s first-time effort from Harry Toffolo’s cross was off target.

Liverpool teenager Jayden Danns made his first Premier League appearance as a late substitute for Cody Gakpo as the visitors pressed for a winner.

Forest skipper Ryan Yates brilliantly blocked Nunez’s shot on the edge of the box, but after Morgan Gibbs-White’s effort was blocked at the other end, Forest were punished for failing to clear a corner.

Mac Allister swung over a cross from the right and Nunez stole in between Forest’s defenders to secure Liverpool a sixth straight win in all competitions.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

14' CLOSE! Origi’s shot wide out

16' CLOSE! Luis Díaz’s shot wide out

26' CHANCE! Luis Díaz's shot over the bar

59' Yellow Card! Robertson booked

63' CLOSE! Darwin Núñez’s shot wide out

65' CLOSE! Elanga’s shot wide out

70' CLOSE! Gakpo’s shot wide out

85' Yellow Card! Jayden Danns booked

99' GOAL! Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool (Darwin Núñez)

Line-ups

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Origi, Harry Toffolo, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Ryan Yates, Dominguez, Neco Williams, Anthony Elanga, Andrew Omobamidele, Murillo

Subs: Kouyate, Felipe, Taiwo Awoniyi, Niakhate, Sangare, Matt Turner, Danilo, Rodrigo Ribeiro, Joe Gardner

Liverpool XI: Van Dijk, Robertson, Joe Gomez, Kelleher, Konate, Cody Gakpo, Mac Allister, Luis Díaz, Elliott, Conor Bradley, Bobby Clark

Subs: Adrian, W. Endo, Tsimikas, Dominik Szoboszlai, Darwin Núñez, Jarell Quansah, James McConnell, Lewis Koumas, Jayden Danns