Mac Allister\u2019s last-gasp goal keeps Liverpool\u2019s top-four chase alive as Slot admits ‘we were lucky’<\/p>\n
Arne Slot<\/a> has said Liverpool<\/a> got ‘lucky’ in their 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest<\/a> but credited his team for an improved second-half showing.<\/strong><\/p>\n Liverpool rode their luck in the opening 45 minutes at the City Ground, as Forest dominated the ball and chances. Slot’s side were without Florian Wirtz, who withdrew from the squad late on, and struggled to retain possession in the German’s absence.<\/p>\n Liverpool improved after the break, though it took a late goal from Alexis Mac Allister to snatch the points. The Argentine midfielder slammed home in the 97th minute to snatch three vital points in Liverpool’s quest forChampions League<\/a> qualification.<\/p>\n Mac Allister’s match-winner came just minutes after the midfielder had an earlier goal disallowed, with VAR deciding Ola Aina’s clearance had hit the 27-year-old’s elbow before diverting past Stefan Ortega.<\/p>\n Fortunately, for the visitors, another chance arrived as Mac Allister capitalised on Ortega’s error, with the goalkeeper failing to deal with Virgil van Dijk’s downward header.<\/p>\n “It was fine margins. We really struggled in the first half. We were the lucky ones scoring in the extra time,” Slot said toBBC Sport.<\/a><\/p>\n “In the first half, the only part I liked was the defending in our box. We showed a different Liverpool in the second half. We tried to bring fresh wingers in and that led to our first disallowed goal. Joe Gomez brought the long throw in.<\/p>\n “I have seen us defending poorer in our own box this season. That might be down to the quality of Forest. I am surprised by the league position they are in. We did not give away many big chances but we gave the ball away every time.<\/p>\n “I have to change my line-up constantly, not so late this time. Florian is in great shape and Curtis Jones played well last week against Brighton.”<\/p>\n