Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool: Darwin Nunez nets last-gasp goal as Reds earn vital victory in title race

Darwin Nunez's header nine minutes into injury time saw Liverpool grab victory over Nottingham Forest and keep their title charge on course.

The victory was scarcely deserved with the Reds barely testing the Forest goalkeeper during the match.

Forest had more clear-cut chances with Anthony Elanga spurning golden opportunities in either half.

After missing the League Cup final with injury, Nunez returned to the side on the hour mark and made the crucial contribution stretching backwards to flick a header to Alexis Mac Allister's cross.

The win leaves Liverpool four points clear of Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League, ahead of Pep Guardiola's side's derby with Manchester United on Sunday.

It felt like the feel-good factor after the dramatic League Cup victory, which lasted into midweek with victory over Southampton, was coming to a spluttering end with Liverpool's tepid performance today.

The only time Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels was called into action prior to the 99th minute was when Nunez's flick from a corner hit the back of Murillo's head before flying towards target and forcing the Belgian stopper to save brilliantly.

Defeat was harsh on Forest who had the clearer chances at goal. Former Manchester United man Anthony Elanga could not beat Caoimhin Kelleher when one-on-one in the first half and then could not steer an effort on target when clear at the back post after the break.

It goes without saying Liverpool will have to play better against Manchester City next week, but you would expect them to rise to the big occasion as they generally have in the Jurgen Klopp-era.

It would not be a surprise if the German supremo changed his forward options for the next match with Luis Diaz and, especially, Cody Gakpo particularly under par and the introductions of Nunez and Jayden Danns noticeably livening up the side.

The Liverpool defence was called into action more than they would expect against a relegation struggler and both the Reds' centre backs did well when left stretched as Forest ran beyond the opposition midfield. In Konate, Jurgen Klopp has a centre back who matches Virgil van Dijk in covering the ground and strength and it was required to keep the clean sheet today.

Nottingham Forest: Sels 7, Williams 6, Omobamidele 7, Murillo 7, Toffolo 7; Dominguez 7, Yates 6; Origi 6, Gibbs-White 6, Hudson-Odoi 7; Elanga 5.

Subs: Awoniyi 6, Danilo 6.

Liverpool: Kelleher 7; Gomez 6, Konate 8*, Van Dijk 7, Robertson 6; Bradley 6, Mac Allister 7, Clark 6; Elliott 6, Gakpo 5, Diaz 6.

Subs: Endo 7, Nunez 7, Szoboszlai 6, Danns 7, Tsimikas 7.

15' ORIGI WITH A BLISTERING DRIVE! The first major effort at goal and given space 25 yards out, he was only a yard or so away from putting the hosts in front.

23' ELANGA ONE-ON-ONE WITH KELLEHER! But the Liverpool goalkeeper spread himself and saved the ball with his legs. I think it would have been ruled offside by VAR anyway, but a fine stop nonetheless.

28' GREAT BLOCK FROM MURILLO! Bradley cuts back and Clark's shot from the edge of the box is half-blocked by Omobamidele but then falls for Diaz in the box, but Murillo dives into this path and stops the shot.

50' ROBERTSON HAS CHANCE FROM POINT-BLANK RANGE! It seems to beat the keeper but struck the back of Omobamidele lunging in the way and deflected wide.

66' WHAT A CHANCE FOR ELANGA! Toffolo played a low cross which came to the winger at the back post but he side-footed first time wide of the target.

90+5' SELS WITH A GREAT STOP! From a corner the ball flicks off Nunez then hits the back of Murillo before flying towards goal but the Forest goalkeeper made a fantastic stop.

90+9' GOAL! NOTTM FOREST 0 LIVERPOOL 1 (NUNEZ)! Mac Allister crossed into the penalty area and Nunez was there to head home for a crucial goal at both ends of the table.

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