Mohamed Salah scored his 183rd goal for Liverpool as they kept their slim top-four hopes alive with a thrilling 3-2 victory over an improved Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
After a goalless first half, Diogo Jota’s header broke the deadlock two minutes after the restart, but Liverpool’s lead would last just four minutes, with Neco Williams’ deflected strike hauling Forest level against his old club.
Liverpool would regain their lead four minutes later thanks to a brilliantly-taken second from Jota, but back came Forest again, with Morgan Gibbs-White volleying home to restore parity on 67 minutes.
But Forest’s susceptibility to set-pieces would haunt them for a third time as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick found Salah in an onside position, and he rifled in off the post to equal Robbie Fowler’s tally of 183 goals for Liverpool.
Forest could still have left Anfield with a priceless point in their battle against the drop, with top scorer Brennan Johnson, who was a surprise omission from the starting line-up, hitting the bar within seconds of coming onto the field.
But Liverpool held on to secure a second successive Premier League victory which leaves them in seventh place, six points outside the top four with their outside chance of securing Champions League qualification still intact. Forest, who are now winless in 11 matches, remain second bottom, a point from safety.
More to follow…
What’s next?
Liverpool travel to face West Ham in the Premier League on Wednesday; kick-off 7.45pm. Nottingham Forest are at home to Brighton on the same evening at the City Ground; kick-off 7.30pm.
Liverpool’s remaining fixtures
April 26: West Ham (A) – Premier League, kick-off 7.45pm
April 30: Tottenham (H) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
May 3: Fulham (A) – Premier League, kick-off 8pm
May 6: Brentford (H) – Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
May 13: Leicester (A) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 20: Aston Villa (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 28: Southampton (A) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
Nottingham Forest’s remaining fixtures
April 26: Brighton (H) – Premier League, kick-off 7.30pm
April 29: Brentford (A) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 8: Southampton (H) – Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
May 13: Chelsea (A) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 20: Arsenal (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 28: Crystal Palace (A) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
