‘Basic refereeing error’ – Liverpool gifted vital goal in Premier League title race

Martin Macdonald

• 2 Mar 2024 15:27 CST
• 4 min read

Liverpool were helped to a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest that could be decisive in the Premier League title race by what has been described as a “basic refereeing error”.

The Reds snatched all three points at the City Ground thanks to a Darwin Nunez goal in the 99th minute – the latest in Premier League history.

Forest were furious with referee Paul Tierney in the buildup to the goal.

READ MORE: Premier League top scorers 2023/24

What happened in Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool?

After 98 minutes, Ibrahima Konate went down with a head injury when Callum Hudson-Odoi was in possession.

Forest should have been given the ball back inside the Liverpool third, but instead it went to the Reds.

Jurgen Klopp’s side mounted an attack having been given possession back, and while the hosts twice won the ball, they failed to clear and ultimately Nunez struck what proved the winning goal.

Forest were furious, with owner Evangelis Marinakis chasing Tierney down the tunnel, complaining: "Respect the players! This happens every week."

Tierney’s officiating received a stern rebuke from Andy Gray and Richard Keys on BeIn Sport.

“They give it back to the team in possession, that’s the whole idea of it,” Gray said. “You can’t take the ball away from a team.”

Looking at the images of the end of the game as angry Forest players confronted the referee, Keys commented: “He’s saying, talk to me inside, not out here.”

Gray interjected: “You can’t take the ball off the team in the last third and just say to the opponent: ‘Here you go, you’ve got the football.’

“It’s nonsense. And Forest were furious. They put so much into it.”

Keys concluded: “It’s a basic refereeing error and it shouldn’t happen at this level.”

Liverpool, meanwhile, have been on the end of some controversial decisions this season, most notably the decision that saw Luis Diaz’s goal against Tottenham ruled out for offside following a mix up in communication with the VAR officials.

Saturday’s goal allowed Klopp’s side to move four points clear at the top of the Premier League table before Manchester City meet Manchester United on Sunday, with Pep Guardiola’s side visiting Anfield next weekend.