Liverpool secured a dramatic last-gasp victory over Nottingham Forest, a result that manager Arne Slot conceded came after what he described as his side's "worst we've played" performance. Despite being woefully out of sorts, particularly in a first-half display that former captain Jamie Carragher labeled a "horror show," Alexis Mac Allister netted deep into stoppage time to clinch the three points for the Reds.

Slot admitted that Liverpool did not deserve the victory, stating that a draw would have been a fairer result. "The first half was really poor, the worst we've played until now, I think," the Dutchman commented. He noted that while the second half showed improvement and greater control, the overall performance, especially in the initial period, was below their usual standards. However, Slot also felt that his team was due some luck, having often been on the wrong side of results after good performances this season.

The match was fraught with drama, particularly surrounding Mac Allister's attempts on goal. In the 89th minute, his initial effort was ruled out by VAR. The ball, rebounding off Ola Aina after a save from Stefan Ortega, struck Mac Allister and entered the net. However, VAR deemed it to have hit his elbow, leading to its disallowance. Slot expressed his ongoing struggle to celebrate goals due to VAR uncertainty, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of deflections. Just minutes later, in the sixth minute of added time, Mac Allister struck again, this time securing the winner after a lengthy VAR check finally confirmed the goal, signaling a potential shift in fortune for Liverpool.

Adding to Liverpool's challenges, Florian Wirtz was withdrawn from the starting lineup before kick-off due to back pain experienced during the warm-up. Slot clarified that the injury was not thought to be serious, but Wirtz was unable to perform at 100%. He emphasized that Wirtz, after several months in the league, now understands the necessity of being fully fit at this level, regardless of his skill on the ball. The team hopes for Wirtz's return the following week.

On the opposing side, new Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira, in charge of his first Premier League match, expressed his profound frustration. Despite his team taking the game to Liverpool with immense pressure and intensity, the late goal left him "angry with football." Pereira described the score as "very, very unfair" and urged his side to maintain their strong mentality, build on the good aspects of their performance, and prepare for future challenges.