Last minute goal by Darwin Nunez against Nottingham Forest extends Liverpool’s position as league leaders.
In the throes of exhaustion and grappling with a barrage of injuries, Liverpool persists in securing victories as they navigate the crucial stages of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure, which nears its conclusion.
The latest triumph against Nottingham Forest underscores their resilience, marking a historic moment as no English Premier League win by the Reds has been clinched as dramatically late as this one.
A pivotal substitute appearance by Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, whose header found the net in the ninth minute of stoppage time, secured a 1-0 victory over Forest and propelled Liverpool four points clear in the standings.
This triumph extends Liverpool’s winning streak to six consecutive victories across all competitions, a feat made all the more impressive considering the grueling schedule, including a nerve-wracking extra-time triumph over Chelsea in the English League Cup final just a week prior.
Jurgen Klopp, reflecting on this remarkable sequence of results, expressed disbelief, acknowledging the seemingly insurmountable odds they faced:
“If you’d told me 12 days ago we would win all four games, I would have said no chance — it was impossible. In the circumstances, winning the games is ridiculous.”
Despite the relenting of some injury woes, key players such as Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, and Curtis Jones remain sidelined. Klopp’s tactical acumen was evident as he entrusted 19-year-old Bobby Clark with a midfield role alongside the versatile Joe Gomez, while 18-year-old Jayden Danns made his league debut as a second-half substitute.
Klopp lauded the extraordinary effort of his squad, acknowledging the challenges they faced:
“What the boys have squeezed out was special. This game didn’t go easy for us. We didn’t have a great rhythm and the boys felt the intensity for the first time.”
The dramatic conclusion of the match was not without controversy, as the Forest camp expressed frustration and dismay at the prolonged eight minutes of added time, compounded by perceived officiating errors in Liverpool’s penalty area during stoppage time. This sparked heated exchanges among players and coaching staff, with club owner Evangelos Marinakis even venturing onto the touchline to voice his discontent.
Looking ahead, Liverpool’s encounter with Manchester City looms large, promising to be a pivotal clash in the title race. Meanwhile, Arsenal seeks to capitalize on any slip-ups as they strive to close the gap on the leading pack.
