Alexis Mac Allister scored the winner as Liverpool beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground, with a former Premier League assistant referee defending the offside decision
19:12, 22 Feb 2026Updated 19:42, 22 Feb 2026
Hugo Ekitike was in an offside position before Alexis Mac Allister scored Liverpool’s winning goal(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA, Getty Images)
Alexis Mac Allister’s decisive goal for Liverpool against Nottingham Forest was permitted as Hugo Ekitike, despite being in an offside position, did not commit an offside offence. Dominik Szoboszlai’s cross floated towards the French international, but it was Virgil van Dijk who made contact with the ball.
Liverpool’s skipper also initially appeared to be offside, but Ola Aina kept Van Dijk onside with his left foot. The defender’s header prompted a save from Stefan Ortega, and Mac Allister was quickest to react and score from the rebound.
The victory brought Liverpool level with fourth-placed Chelsea on points. However, the goal sparked considerable controversy at the City Ground.
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Speaking to the BBC, former Premier League assistant referee, Darren Cann, said: “The Alexis Mac Allister goal was an outstanding call from assistant referee Gary Beswick. To the naked eye, it looked like Van Dijk might be offside from Dominik Szoboszlai’s cross; however, Ola Aina’s foot just played him onside.
“Hugo Ekitike was in an offside position but did not commit an offside offence. It was a brilliant decision to call this in real time from one of the very best assistant referees in the world.”
Mac Allister had already seen one goal ruled out during the match after the midfielder pressed a clearance from Ola Aina, deflecting the ball into the back of the net. However, a video assistant referee review conducted by Paul Tierney reversed the initial decision.
Alexis Mac Allister’s first goal was ruled out by VAR for handball(Image: Getty Images)
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Referee Anthony Taylor clarified: “After review, the ball hits the arm of the goal scorer, Liverpool No. 10. Therefore, it’s an accidental handball by the goal scorer, so the final decision is a direct free kick.”
Mac Allister told the BBC afterwards: “It hit my back and my elbow. I understand the rule, but if you understand football, that goal should have stood.
“I told Hugo it would be a goal, and one or two minutes later, it was. I’m very glad it was me.
“It doesn’t feel nice in the moment, but it is what it is. VAR is a good tool if you look at the mistakes the referees used to make. We need to waste these seconds or minutes because it’s best for football.”
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