Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool: Player ratings

Liverpool left it late but they secured a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon thanks to a late Darwin Nunez strike.

Just as the game, which had been deeply frustrating for Jurgen Klopp's side, looked set to end goalless, the substitute secured all three points with a close-range header deep into stoppage time.

The result means the Reds remain at the top of the Premier League for another week and aren't relying on results elsewhere.

Here are your player ratings...

Caoimhin Kelleher (GK): 7

Good save with an outstretched left foot to deny Anthony Elanga in a one-on-one halfway through the first half. Reacted well to save low at his near post from Callum Hudson-Odoi in the second but had little to do overall.

Conor Bradley (RB): 6

Having set the bar so high in the last month, today’s showing was rather low-key. The Northern Irishman was unable to leave his mark on the game and was taken off as the Reds chased the go-ahead goal in the closing stages.

Ibrahima Konate (CB): 8

Held the line very well and covered for Bradley’s attacks with some very front-foot defending.

Virgil van Dijk (CB): 9

Some very calm defending to head the ball back to his keeper from a cross inside his own six-yard box in the first half. Kept the backline very well-organised when faced with Forest’s constant counter-attacks. Made a vital block on Morgan Gibbs-White right at the death to set Liverpool up to claim the win.

Andrew Robertson (LB): 7

Had a good chance right at the start of the second half, deflected wide by one of several defenders on the line. Showed good energy getting up and down the left wing - it was perhaps a surprise to see he was taken off after an hour.

Joe Gomez (DM): 5

Didn’t have the best day. Unsurprisingly, he looked a little lost in the middle of the field. Didn’t seem to know where to go to receive the ball and was often quite easily marked. On the ball, he wasn’t especially effective either. Was marginally better when he moved to full-back after an hour.

Alexis Mac Allister (CM): 9

Unlucky not to get a shot off with a cheeky backheel from Elliott’s cutback early on. Showed good touches on the whole, keeping possession ticking over nicely, and, right at the crucial moment, had the calmness and creativity to recycle the ball and pick out Nunez in the area to head home the winner.

Bobby Clark (CM): 6

Had an ambitious shot from just outside the box curl just over the bar. Maybe should have got better purchase on his effort when he found himself free inside the box from Bradley’s low cross. Didn’t look out of place in the side. Unfortunate to be taken off after an hour.

Harvey Elliott (RW): 5

Worked tirelessly all game but was mostly nullified when he played off the right. When he moved to a more central position after an hour, he was able to influence the play more, crashing a volley off the head of Ryan Yates. Was furious to be withdrawn but, in truth, could have few complaints.

Cody Gakpo (ST): 6

Took the ball off Van Dijk’s toe in the first half when the captain looked set to volley his side into the lead (to be fair, he never received a shout). Then, just before half time, he inexplicably headed the ball back into no man’s land when bearing down on goal. Fired the ball into the side netting with 20 minutes to go when he perhaps should have passed. Overall, a day of picking the wrong options.

Luis Diaz (LW): 7

Had the Reds’ first chance of the game in the 16th minute when his shot was deflected wide by Andrew Omobamidele. Had a golden chance with 15 minutes remaining that he flashed past the post when he ought to have at least hit the target. Was nonetheless instrumental in maintaining the side's intensity, even if it had no end product.

Substitutes

Darwin Nunez (Clark, 60’): 9

Very lively from the moment he entered the field, firing the ball into the side netting from a tight angle. Looked the most likely to open the scoring for the Reds, despite not getting a clear opening until 90+8 minutes, when he glanced the ball into the net.

Wataru Endo (Robertson, 60’): 7

Gave the Reds much better shape in the middle when he came on. Effective, if unspectacular.

Dominik Szoboszlai (Elliott, 76’): 5

Wasn't really an upgrade on the man he replaced. In fact, he gave the ball away rather often.

Kostas Tsimikas (Bradley, 83’): 7

Offered a good outlet wide on the left in the closing stages as the Reds pushed for the win.

Jayden Danns (Gakpo, 83'): 5

Besides earning himself a yellow for a robust challenge on the keeper, Danns had too little time to make an impact.