Despite Elliot Anderson’s midfield magic, Nottingham Forest failed to claim any points from the game as Alexis MacAllister’s late winner saw Liverpool pick up a massive win in their top-four hopes.
The loss in the Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool game saw the Tricky Trees drawn closer to the Premier League relegation zone, with the Reds only two points above the drop zone.
Vitor Pereira may have failed to get anything out of his first Premier League game with Forest, but the Portuguese manager will see many positives from the chances created by his side throughout the 90 minutes.
Elliot Anderson’s Midfield Magic: Forest Lose Late On As MacAllister Pounces To Get Liverpool The Win
The first chance of the Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool game fell to the hosts as Ibrahim Sangare’s fantastic defensive abilities helped him win the ball and send a ball into the path of Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The winger barred down on goal, but Alisson was out quickly to save his effort and then saw the ball rebound off Forest’s number seven and out for a goal kick.
Forest continued knocking on the door as Elliot Anderson was the next to have a shot goalwards, but his effort was wide of Alisson’s right post.
Liverpool’s first chance came from a free-kick; however, anything but a Dominik Szoboszlai shot would end up as a chance missed, as their alternative variation saw Hugo Ekitike’s header fly over the bar.
Vitor Pereira’s side continued their sustained dominance in the first half as Elliot Anderson’s midfield magic saw him winning his battles in midfield, and he was able to drive Forest further up the pitch.
However, when it came to end product, Forest’s efforts failed to test Alisson as they failed to hit the target.
Forest’s frontmen continued plugging away at trying to force the ball into the back of the net to open the scoring, but they were unsuccessful in doing so in the first half as the deadlock failed to be broken.
The hosts continued on the front foot at the start of the second half as a cross from Hudson-Odoi found the head of Nikola Milenkovic, but the defender’s effort trickled wide of the target.
After the 50th minute, Liverpool finally found their rhythm and groove as they were able to string some neat passes together, but as chances arose, Forest were able to quickly shut them down by throwing their bodies on the line.
A midfield battle ensued for the next 20 minutes as tackles came flying in and bodies were put on the line.
As Forest broke forward once again through Murillo, the ball was slipped into the path of substitute Dilane Bakwa, but he was another player who failed to trouble Alisson with their shot.
With five minutes to go, the uncertainty of who would win the game continued at the City Ground as Forest looked to get the win in front of their home fans.
Neco Williams’ cross found Morgan Gibbs-White, who had his effort blocked, as Ibrahim Sangare also pulled the trigger but failed to hit the target.
However, Liverpool thought they had won it late on in the most fortuitous way as Rio Ngumoha’s cross was headed goalwards by Ekitike, who had his effort saved by Stefan Ortega.
Ola Aina looked to clear the ball, but the leaping Alexis MacAllister got in the way of the clearance and saw the ball hit the back of the net.
However, after a VAR check, the goal was ruled out due to the ball striking the Argentine’s elbow.
Deep into stoppage time, MacAllister did get his goal as Szoboszlai’s free-kick was headed goalwards by Virgil van Dijk, who had his shot saved, but there was the Argentine midfielder to bundle the ball home to grab all three points for the Reds.
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Elliot Anderson’s Midfield Magic: Forest’s Number Eight Continues To Shine In The Reds’ Relegation Scrapping Side
With the Premier League relegation zone barring down on Forest, Elliot Anderson’s midfield magic is one thing that keeps the City Ground faithful positive about the future.
The central midfielder has formed a key partnership with Ibrahim Sangare as the duo continue to work tirelessly to keep the Reds afloat in the battle for Premier League survival.
Compared to last season, Anderson’s midfield magic has been more based on working hard to win the ball back rather than providing goals and assists.
In the 2024/25 Premier League season, the 23-year-old managed two goals and six assists as Forest were attackingly fluid, battled near the top end of the table and used their talents to full potential.
Since then, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has sacked Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche.
Vitor Pereira is now the next manager to be tasked with ensuring Forest avoid Premier League relegation.
However, with Elliot Anderson’s midfield magic on display week in week out, Forest’s midfield is in safe hands, at least until the end of this season.
The key for the Portuguese coach will be to keep the pairing of Anderson and Sangare fit, as Forest’s midfield fails to charge in games when they are not on the field together, and that was evident when Anderson was subbed in the 77th minute of the game against Liverpool.
Elliot Anderson’s Midfield Magic: Premier League Top Clubs Swarming In The Summer
In recent days, it has been reported that Manchester United are looking to raid Nottingham Forest in the summer as they look to secure the signature of Elliot Anderson.
The Red Devils, currently under the interim charge of Michael Carrick, have certainly improved since the sacking of Ruben Amorim, but it is not known what direction the Manchester United hierarchy will take when appointing their next permanent manager.
Since his £35 million switch from Newcastle United to Nottingham Forest in July 2024, the midfielder has been, alongside the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood, one of the most important players for the Reds.
Just over a year after his transfer from his boyhood club, Anderson made his England debut in September 2025 against Andorra and displayed why he should be one of the first players on the plane heading to the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
It goes without saying that Manchester United won’t be the only team in the summer transfer window that will be looking to sign the 23-year-old.
Elliot Anderson’s midfield magic has been noticed from his early days, especially during his loan at Bristol Rovers in the second half of the 2021/22 season.
The 23-year-old is an ever-important cog in the Forest squad, as he has played the fourth-most minutes, only behind Milenkovic, captain Gibbs-White and full-back Williams.
Elliot Anderson’s midfield magic places him at the top of the form ratings, as the midfielder is the only player in the Forest squad to have a rating over seven this season.
It will be a tough task for the Reds to keep hold of their top midfield asset, but if they are to do so, they must ensure their Premier League safety sooner rather than later.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO/Propaganda Photo
Recording Date: 22.02.2026
