AnalysisNunez back with a bang and more talking points from Liverpool's dramatic win at Forest
The Uruguayan struck in the ninth minute of stoppage time at the City Ground to ensure Jürgen Klopp’s side recorded a priceless three points.
Here are five things we noticed after a thrilling finale on the banks of the River Trent…
Nunez is back with a bang
The cheer from the away end that greeted Nunez’s introduction as a substitute on the hour mark was loud enough, but it was nothing compared to the explosion of noise after the Reds’ No.9 struck surely the most important goal of his Anfield career.
Nunez showed all of his striking instincts to get his head on Alexis Mac Allister’s clipped cross, nearly nine minutes beyond the 90. It was a stunning finish, in more ways than one.
He’d already made an impact on proceedings, taking five shots in total during his time on the field, and creating a promising chance for Cody Gakpo.
But it was Nunez’s 14th goal of the season, and the celebrations that followed, we will talk about when the story of this game is told.
It was the latest winning goal in Liverpool’s Premier League history.
The subs produce again
Nunez’s goal was the 22nd that has been either scored or assisted by a Liverpool substitute in the Premier League this season.
In the competition’s history, only Manchester City in 2011-12 (24) and Arsenal in 2009-10 (23) have had more goal involvements by substitutes in a single campaign.
Three more replacements had been involved in the goal, too, with Dominik Szoboszlai delivering the corner, Kostas Tsimikas seeing his shot blocked and Wataru Endo regaining possession for Mac Allister to cross.
Yet again, Klopp looked to his bench and found the answers.
The City Ground curse is lifted
For much of the afternoon, it looked as if this would be yet another frustrating visit to Nottingham for Liverpool.
The Reds had not beaten Forest in the league at the City Ground in their last 13 games, losing six, and never in the Premier League era.
Only against Arsenal (18 games from 1905 to 1928) have Liverpool ever had a longer run of away games without a win against a single opponent in the top flight.
But Nunez’s late intervention ensured the curse was broken, as the Reds completed a first league double over Forest since the 1984-85 season, when Joe Fagan was in the Anfield hotseat.
A big day for Bobby Clark
Liverpool’s team selection here showed four changes from the side that had started the Emirates FA Cup win over Southampton at Anfield on Wednesday, with Klopp bringing in senior players such as Ibrahima Konate, Luis Diaz and Mac Allister.
Bobby Clark, though, was retained, the 19-year-old making his first Premier League start on the left of the Reds’ midfield three.
The former Newcastle United youngster almost broke the deadlock twice in the first half, too, seeing one effort blocked en route to the bottom corner and curling another strike over the bar.
He made way for Endo on the hour mark, but could be happy with his contributions.
The first of many, he will hope.
Joe Gomez is the ultimate handyman
Versatile players are worth their weight in gold to managers, and there are few more versatile players around right now than Joe Gomez.
The No.2 has been Klopp’s key handyman this season, and he certainly was here. Gomez started the game at the base of Liverpool’s midfield, moved to left-back when Andy Robertson went off after an hour and finished the contest at right-back.
What a season he’s having, and what a vital role he’s playing in the Reds’ quest for glory.
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