Tom Olver
Published February 22, 2026 4:53pm
Updated February 22, 2026 6:09pm
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Rio Ngumoha ‘changed the game’ for Liverpool at Nottingham Forest, says Jamie Carragher (Picture: Getty)
Jamie Carragher heaped praise on Rio Ngumoha following Liverpool’s nervy 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, crediting the youngster with ‘changing the game’.
The reigning Premier League champions had looked on course to drop yet more points after Alexis Mac Allister had a goal disallowed for handball deep into stoppage time at the City Ground.
The visitors had struggled to build any real momentum over the course of the 90 minutes, against a team hovering just two points above the relegation zone.
But just moments after his initial effort was chalked off, Mac Allister picked himself up and found a crucial winner for the Merseyside giants to cue rapturous scenes in the away end.
Referee Anthony Taylor eventually signalled that the goal should stand after a lengthy VAR check for a possible offside call in the build-up, much to the relief of nervous-looking Arne Slot on the touchline.
The result – Liverpool’s third win on the bounce in all competitions – ensured Slot’s men moved level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United, who have a game in hand over their two rivals.
‘It was fine margins. We really struggled in the first half,’ the Liverpool’s head coach said of his side’s uninspiring performance at Forest.
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Mac Allister struck in the seventh minute of stoppage time to win it for Liverpool (Picture: Getty)
Ngumoha shone in the closing stages at the City Ground (Picture: Getty)
‘We were the lucky ones scoring in the extra time.’
On Mac Allister’s disallowed goal, Slot added: ‘I have to see it back to judge if it’s the right decision. The offside or onside is factual.
‘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.
The teenager came on in place of Salah in the 77th minute (Picture: Getty)
Slot admitted he was ‘surprised’ by Forest’s lowly league position considering the quality and resilience they showed before Mac Allister’s last-gasp winner.
‘I have seen us defending poorer in our own box this season. That might be down to the quality of Forest,’ the Dutchman continued.
‘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.
‘I have to change my line-up constantly, not so late this time. Florian [Wirtz] is in great shape and Curtis Jones played well last week against Brighton.’
The result saw Liverpool go level on points with Manchester United (Picture: Getty)
Ngumoha was a real bright spark for Liverpool after replacing Mohamed Salah in the 77th minute, causing Forest’s tiring defenders problems with his pace and energy.
‘There was a player who came on for Liverpool: Rio Ngumoha, who came on in the 77th minute,’ Carragher said of the 17-year-old’s eye-catching cameo performance on Sky Sports’ commentary.
‘He did more in 15 minutes than [Cody] Gakpo and Salah had done up until that point.
‘He absolutely changed the game, this kid, and he needs more of an opportunity. He does, he needs to start starting games.
The Reds have won their last three matches in all competitions (Picture: Getty)
‘Mac Allister gets the winner, it was a little bit unfortunate that he didn’t get the winner a few minutes earlier.
‘But he was another player who really struggled in this game and Liverpool do struggle physically.
‘That [problem] is for the summer in terms of what they do recruitment-wise and the makeup of this team.
‘They couldn’t cope for long periods of this game but, as I said, I don’t think there’s anyone better in Premier League history at getting last-minute winner and that is Liverpool.’
Mac Allister had ‘mixed feelings’ after Liverpool’s nervy victory (Picture: Getty)
Despite popping up to save his side at the death, Liverpool’s match-winner Mac Allister said he was left with ‘mixed’ emotions after the final whistle.
‘I’ve got mixed feelings to be honest. I love scoring, I love winning, so, in that sense, I think it’s a really good day,’ the Argentinian told Sky Sports.
‘But then, on the other hand, I don’t think we played very well so there’s plenty of things that we need to improve.
‘But it’s always nicer when you win.’
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Asked if he understood the decision to disallow his initial goal, Mac Allister replied: ‘It did [hit my elbow] but I feel it was a bit harsh because it has hit my back as well so it’s a bit of both.
‘I understand the rules, I just think that in football that’s very harsh. But it was a fair decision.
‘I thought we were going to get another chance. Before a throw-in, I told Hugo [Ekitike] that this was going to be our goal, our situation.
‘I don’t know if it was on that one or the next one, but I had another opportunity and I’m glad that it went in.’
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