Liverpool’s Champions League hopes have been boosted after the ‘robbery’ at Nottingham Forest

To call the final moments of Liverpool’s win at the City Ground would be an understatement, but it would not be a stretch to describe the win as a steal – one that puts Arne Slott’s side firmly in contention for the Champions League.

The fact that Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira said he was “angry with football” sums it up. The forest is not worth losing.

For large parts of the afternoon, home fans chanted “In your head, Arnie, Arnie, Arnie” to the tune of Zombies by The Cranberries, as Pereira’s side dominated the defending champions.

Before today, Slott had failed to beat Forest in any of his previous three attempts as Liverpool manager.

However, as Liverpool’s players made their way to the away final after snatching a brilliant winner through Alexis McAllister, the same cheers came from the traveling fans, who couldn’t believe their luck.

Liverpool’s performance was lackluster in most parts but they deserve praise for their resilience and the importance of McAllister’s 97th minute winner cannot be understated, meaning it moved Liverpool level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United, in fourth and fifth places.

“It’s one of the biggest heists I’ve seen in the Premier League this season,” Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports.

For Slott, who has regularly insisted that Liverpool have been unlucky on numerous occasions this season, there was an acknowledgment that his side had finally got the green.

“My feelings were feelings of happiness and relief because this was the first time I had to do a different press conference after the game,” Slott said.

“We didn’t play a good game. We were on the wrong side of the score after performing well a few times.

He added: “We got more than we deserved. A draw would have been a fair result.” “We needed to be on the right side of things every now and then. I felt like we were lucky.”

Credit also goes to McAllister, who found himself in the right place at the right time on two late occasions.

The first was his disallowed goal which came after Stefan Ortega made a brilliant save from Hugo Equitiki. When Ola Aina tried to clear the ball, it hit Mac Allister and went into the net. But the goal, which could have been a fluke, was disallowed because the ball struck his elbow, which was tight to his body.

McAllister told BBC Sport: “I hurt my back and my elbow. I understand the rule, but if you understand football, it should have been a goal.”

He added, “The first half was not good at all; positioning, pressure, and intensity. This was not our level. The second half, I cannot say it was good, but it was better.”