Striker Darwin Nunez scored a header in the last second of the match, helping Liverpool win 1-0 against host Nottingham Forest, to continue to hold the top spot in the Premier League.
Darwin Nunez netted a 99th minute winner to keep Liverpool top of the table
In the ninth minute of extra time in the second half, Nottingham had the ball in front of the penalty area but did not clear it, but tried to counterattack and then lost the ball. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister took the opportunity to hang towards the second post for Nunez to hit the ground to the near corner, while the home goalkeeper stood still. The Uruguayan striker ran to the Liverpool spectator area and slid down to celebrate an important goal that helped Jurgen Klopp and his team continue to stay at the top of the table.
Klopp did not celebrate the goal as enthusiastically as usual, just raised his hands in the air, then turned towards the technical area and smiled. Liverpool players were different, as they ran to hug, tap Nunez’s head or nudge him in the chest.
Darwin Nunez’s header (center) brought three points to Liverpool. Photo: LFC
Nunez (No. 9) celebrates the decisive goal to help Liverpool win against Nottingham. Photo: Reuters
Nunez reached the mark of 10 goals in the Premier League this season, after 25 matches. This is also the third consecutive match that the 1.87 m tall striker scored at the tournament, his best streak. The Uruguay international helped Liverpool win their sixth consecutive match in all competitions, including a series of four wins in the Premier League.
Nunez only came on as a substitute in the 60th minute, but had five finishing opportunities. In the 72nd minute, he headed the ball in the same position, in an even more comfortable position, but could not put the ball into the net. According to the expected goal parameters, Liverpool’s 22 shots in this match have a total probability of more than 200%, but they only scored one goal from Nunez.
Nottingham held the ball for less than half the time of Liverpool, but the home team became the team with the most dangerous ball in the first half. Elanga challenged Kelleher with a long-range shot in the 25th minute, which the Liverpool goalkeeper successfully blocked.
Liverpool increased the pressure in the second half, the away team finished more than before. However, Liverpool players’ finishing accuracy did not improve, so they could not score during official match time. Nottingham also counterattacked more than in the first half, but the home team had no chance to score.
Nunez celebrates the late goal that helped Liverpool beat Nottingham (Photo: Getty).
The match had 8 minutes of extra time and when the extra time passed, the referee still allowed the match to continue. Liverpool thought they were being held at the City Ground but suddenly it happened in the 9th minute of extra time. Mac Allister made the shot. Hanged the ball for Nunez to jump high and head the ball into the left corner of the goal. The Uruguayan striker’s precise finish brought a sweet victory to Liverpool.
After 27 matches, Liverpool has 63 points, increasing the gap with Man City to 4 points and 5 points ahead of Arsenal. Tonight Man City will play the Manchester derby with Man Utd, and Arsenal will be a guest at Sheffield Utd in the early morning of March 4.
However, Liverpool’s defense did a good job to ensure that one goal was enough for the team to win three points. The best chance of the match belonged to Nottingham, when former Man Utd striker Anthony Elanga faced goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in the 23rd minute. However, the long-term replacement goalkeeper Alisson Becker successfully saved from Elanga’s left foot shot. .
A difficult victory was predicted for Liverpool, as they continued to miss key players such as Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota. These players may continue to be absent in the next round, when Liverpool takes on Man City at Anfield next weekend.