Following Chelsea’s recent surprise draw with Burnley, a win felt imperative for Liverpool ahead of their trip to the City Ground, as the race for next season’s Champions League places continues to intensify.
A dismal first half made things difficult, but a late, late winner from Alexis Mac Allister ensured the Reds came away with all three points in a 1–0 victory—also snapping Liverpool’s three-match winless run against Forest in the process.
It might have not been the prettiest win, but how did the Reds rate individually in the huge victory?
Starting XI:
Alisson Becker: 8/10- Nottingham Forest may have finished with just two shots on target, but they dominated the first half, firing off 11 attempts to Liverpool’s two, and Alisson was vital in keeping the Reds alive heading into the break.
His finest moment came in the third minute, when he brilliantly denied Callum Hudson-Odoi, and he remained assured throughout to secure the clean sheet. A proper performance.
Virgil van Dijk: 8/10- He repeatedly put his body on the line, extinguishing both the aerial threats and the dangerous pockets Forest tried to exploit on the ground. After taking a thunderous effort to the head, he endured a brief concussion scare but pushed on, marshaling the back line with authority. A true captain’s performance.
Ibrahima Konaté: 7.5/10- He wasn’t quite as dominant as in recent outings, but he remained assertive enough to handle the danger and keep Forest off the scoresheet. I also admired Ibou’s willingness to take matters into his own hands, driving the ball upfield on a few occasions when the midfield and attack looked lifeless.
Dominik Szoboslai: 8/10- Continuing to operate in his less-preferred right-back role as Liverpool navigate a sea of injuries at the position, he still produced a decisive moment with a superb delivery that Mac Allister eventually turned home. He consistently showcased his quality and defensive awareness in the clean-sheet effort, further cementing his status as Liverpool’s most influential player this season.
Milos Kerkez: 7/10- His focus was clearly on defensive duties rather than driving the attack, and the Hungarian delivered something of a mixed performance. A few clumsy fouls ultimately led to his substitution in the 83rd minute, but if his primary task was to help preserve the clean sheet, he accomplished it.
Ryan Gravenberch: 7/10- Like Kerkez, he ultimately defended well, but the unexpected spark he showed on the ball earlier in the season appears to have faded during the club’s recent run, with no goal contributions in his last nine league matches. Still, as a defensive midfielder at the City Ground, he did his job.
Curtis Jones: 7/10- It couldn’t have been easy for the Scouser to switch into a starter’s mindset after Florian Wirtz’s unfortunate knock in warmups. While the attack clearly struggled without the German, Jones still managed to create Liverpool’s best chance of the game up to that point in the 54th minute—a moment that seemed to get the Reds moving a bit more. A solid "next man up" outing.
Alexis Mac Allister: 8.5/10- He was quiet early on, but boy did he come alive late. Mirroring his European brace against Qarabag, his positional instincts were deadly in the final moments—having a goal ruled out in the 89th minute before being in the right place at the right time to score the winner in the 97th. Far from a scintillating performance overall, but given the impact of a crucial late winner, it earns him MOTM honors and a top rating.
Cody Gakpo: 6.5/10- To be fair, he found himself wide open at the back post in the 36th minute, only for a Salah cross to sail past him. Beyond that chance, however, it was another lackluster outing for Arne Slot’s first-choice left winger.
Fans are growing weary of seeing the same move executed repeatedly, and he has now gone seven straight league matches without a goal or assist. He needs to find form soon, or Slot may face serious scrutiny for insisting on starting him week after week.
Mohamed Salah: 6.5/10- Mo was also highly ineffective on the afternoon, compounding a poor outing for both wingers. He’ll get a small reprieve, as this was his first true dud since returning from AFCON, but, as I’ve said before, an uptick in his form will be crucial in the run-in. Liverpool were fortunate to scrape away with three points on a day when he wasn’t at his best.
Hugo Ekitike: 6.5/10- Perhaps he’s grown a bit too reliant on linking up with Wirtz in open play to make an impact, as the Frenchman was quiet at the City Ground. He also scuffed a late header that should very likely have been the match-winner. Considering he has scored from headers several times this season, his recent struggles in aerial attacks are becoming a concern.
Substitutes:
Rio Ngumoha: 8/10- I’ve seen enough—Rio should be Liverpool’s starting left winger. After scoring an “offside” goal as a sub against Brighton in the FA Cup that probably should have stood, he was again unlucky not to record an assist, brilliantly teeing up Ekitike late on. And this is no fluke: he completed more dribbles and created as many chances as Salah and Gakpo combined. Simply a superb 20-minute performance, and I’m done hearing about his age—give this boy more opportunities.
Federico Chiesa: 7/10- He brought his usual super-sub energy, though he wasn’t quite as influential in his other cameo appearances. Still, it counts for something that he was on the pitch for yet another late winner.
Joe Gomez: 7.5/10- He came on for Jones and continued his fine run of form, helping the Reds secure a clean sheet. It will be crucial for him to stay healthy through the end of the season, providing Slot’s side with a reliable defensive option amid so many injuries elsewhere.
Andy Robertson: 7/10- He couldn’t quite find his rhythm after coming on late, but still played like a consummate professional, giving his all while Kerkez remains Slot’s preferred choice at left back.