Arne Slot Confesses He Anticipated Liverpool's Winner Would Be Disallowed
Liverpool injected fresh momentum into their pursuit of a top-four finish on Sunday with a dramatic late victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. However, manager Arne Slot admitted he braced for further misfortune to plague his side.
Late Drama and VAR Controversy
The reigning Premier League champions secured the win in injury time, with Alexis Mac Allister converting a crucial goal. This came just minutes after Mac Allister had seen another strike ruled out due to a contentious handball decision. Slot, reflecting on the match, criticized Liverpool's first-half display in the Midlands and confessed he believed the late winner would also be chalked off, citing a series of unlucky calls this season.
In his post-match press conference, the Dutch coach stated: "It was about having more control over their midfield. I just highlighted how well they played. We lost every ball. We could not keep the ball for one second. If we went long, we lost the duel. We lost a lot of second balls. The only part of the game that went well was defending inside the box. I saw players throwing themselves for long balls, had to defend set pieces. That's what we did well and stayed in the game."
Second-Half Turnaround and Fortune Shifts
Slot noted an improvement after the break: "The second half I saw something slightly different. We took over the game, maybe because they played on Thursday? For the first time this season, that was an advantage for us - that the team we faced played and we were off this week." He added, "With the way things are going this season, I would not have been surprised at all if both goals had been disallowed. But maybe fortune has changed - finally."
Mac Allister's Perspective on the Incidents
Liverpool's match-winner, Alexis Mac Allister, also shared his thoughts on the two key moments. When asked if his first, disallowed goal had touched his elbow, he replied: "It did, but it's harsh. Because it hit my back as well. I understand the rules but it's football, it's very harsh." Regarding his eventual winner, the Argentine midfielder explained: "I knew I would get another one [chance]. Before the throw-in, I told Hugo [Ekitike] it would be our situation. But I had another opportunity and I am glad it went in."
Implications for Liverpool's Season
The dramatic win lifts Liverpool to sixth in the Premier League, now level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea. Slot's side aims to sustain their push for a Champions League spot as they prepare to host West Ham United at Anfield next Saturday. This result underscores the team's resilience amid a season marked by VAR controversies and tight margins.
