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One minute of chaos.
From the brink of a devastating stalemate to the euphoria of Liverpool's latest winning goal in the Premier League era.
If Jurgen Klopp gets the dream send-off and his team are crowned champions in May, the events of the 99th minute at the City Ground on Saturday will go down in club folklore.
Against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool were exhausted, exhausted and seemed to be out of time or ideas. The fans of title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal eagerly awaited the final whistle.
When Joe Gomez won a corner, Dominik Szoboszlai ran over to take it. This was the last chance, but after Kostas Tsimikas' shot was blocked, hope seemed to be gone.
But not all. After Forest's Callum Hudson-Odoi and Taiwo Awoniyi both tried to dribble out of the penalty area, Liverpool managed a loss of possession thanks to Wataru Endo's pursuit and the ball fell to Alexis Mac Allister, who coolly turned onto his left foot before deflected an inviting cross towards Darwin Nunez, who came on after missing the last three games with a hamstring injury. Nunez sent a glancing header past Matz Sels, sparking wild celebrations from players, staff and fans. The clock read 98 minutes and 35 seconds.
Nunez heads Liverpool's winning goal (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Titles are won on days like this and a dramatic win ensured Liverpool stay top ahead of next Sunday's crucial showdown against City at Anfield. This is the story of the epic finale.
The players
“No, no, no, the game wasn’t over yet so I still had the faith,” insisted captain Van Dijk, shielding himself from the rain, when asked if he had reluctantly accepted deep into stoppage time that it wouldn't be her day.
“We have shown in my time here that we never give up. We found a way. Darwin was so important this season and it's great to have him back. It’s a big goal and in the end it’s a well-deserved victory.”
It was the 18th time in the top flight that Liverpool had scored a winner in the 90th minute or later during Klopp's reign – more than any other team in that period.
Nunez's knee slide was followed by the sight of him manically kicking the advertising board before his teammates rushed him before the away game.
Nunez celebrates his goal (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Nunez is a popular figure in the dressing room and has 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions this season. That corresponds to a goal participation every 87 minutes. In 2022-23, this figure was 124 minutes.
Tsimikas certainly had his hands full after the winner. He took it upon himself to remove a red flare thrown from the pitch by Liverpool fans who had traveled with him. An angry Forest fan then ran onto the pitch to confront the Greece international before being intercepted by home defender Murillo and the stewards.
Tellingly, Szoboszlai moved straight towards Mac Allister, whose sharp pass gave him the chance and knocked him off his feet.
“We always believe in it, we always go to the end,” said Mac Allister, who has proven to be a great asset since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion. “As it was the last minute I had to put the cross in and then Darwin did a very good job.”
Van Dijk added: “Macca is an outstanding player with and without the ball. He has changed the way we play so much.”
The Liverpool captain also added to the chaos by taking a mobile phone camera from a member of Liverpool's media department stationed in front of the away fans and filming the celebrations himself.
Van Dijk was also affected by Forest's angry protests after the final whistle when coach Steven Reid was shown the red card. Referee Paul Tierney mistakenly gave the ball back to Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher rather than the home side after stopping play when Ibrahima Konate was injured. The goal came a minute and 50 seconds later.
“But there was a moment earlier in the game when the same thing happened. “Forest got the ball back when we had possession when the game was stopped,” emphasized Van Dijk. “When you lose in the last minute, it’s never nice. I can understand that. We came here to get the three points and luckily we got them.”
The joyful chaos was summed up by the sight of Harvey Elliott wearing former Liverpool striker Divock Origi's Forest shirt and an enthusiastic young fan.
The managing director
Given the timing of the goal at such a crucial stage in the title race, Klopp was relatively reserved in his celebration after Nunez struck as he hugged his backroom team.
After the final whistle there was no triumphant fist pump before the away game, just applauding them for their support. Relief seemed to be the prevailing feeling as he wrapped his arms around match-winner Nunez. Klopp knew that any slip-up could have had serious consequences after such a grueling week. Liverpool's first league win at the City Ground since 1984 was precious.
“If you had told me 12 days ago that we could win all four games, I would have said that we have no chance because of the squad situation,” said Klopp. “Now we have to regroup.” He spoke about his team lacking “rhythm” and feeling the “intensity” of the last few games.
Jürgen Klopp greets Liverpool fans (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
The Liverpool manager compared this gutsy result to the 2-1 away win at Aston Villa in November 2019, when Andy Robertson and Sadio Mane scored late goals.
The following weekend, Liverpool defeated Manchester City at home to secure the title. How he would love for history to repeat itself.
Klopp highlighted the folly of rival fans who continue to shout “You're as damned as Andy Carroll” towards Nunez. He makes a habit of silencing these jibes: he has scored 28 goals in 79 appearances, including five wins this season, and helped equal the club record of 21 goals from substitutes in a season, set in 2005/ 06 was set up. He gave Liverpool's attack a focus they had previously lacked when he came on as a substitute against Forest.
“People sing this song more often, it's the best way to calm it down immediately, but they can sing it when Darwin reacts like he did today,” Klopp said.
“At the last second the guy who looks like a former Liverpool player thought: 'Yeah, I'll score a goal and decide the game.' Wonderful. I'm so happy for Darwin. He came and was a real challenge. The calmest man on the pitch was Macca with a great assist.”
The away fans
For the 2,900 away fans at the City Ground, the scenes sparked by Nunez's winning goal were already considered one of the greatest celebrations of all time.
“We were a group of six people. “Some ended up two rows in front when Darwin scored,” says a hoarse but jubilant Kristian Walsh, 37, after the two-hour drive back to Liverpool.
“You see Darwin’s header coming in and losing all control. The following 30 seconds are a blur. You hugged people you didn't know.
“A 0-0 draw would have been damaging against a team fighting relegation, so it feels great to win like this. It's the highlight of the season so far. Nunez's late winner at Newcastle with 10 men in August was incredible, but this was more emotional. There is a title at stake. This goal makes you think: “The time has come.” This ensures that we will be at the top in the game against City. Anfield will be wild.”
As they serenaded Nunez after the final whistle, a tongue-in-cheek rendition of the Carroll song came from the away team, and “Allez Allez Allez” rang out long after the home stands had emptied.
But for Tage Herstad, who has attended more than 1,000 consecutive Liverpool games in front of fans, Nunez's late intervention was poetically justified after some home fans directed shouts of “poverty” at the away team.
“It’s one of the best away trips in 20 years,” he said. “It was Karma with their anti-Scouse songs. We all knew Darwin was going to do something when they sang the Carroll song, and he did it. Fabulous.”
One minute of chaos. A moment to cherish. Liverpool stays ahead.
(Top photo: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
