A goal by Darwin Nunez in the ninth extra minute gave Liverpool victory away to Nottingham Forest, whose owner Evangelos Marinakis was not pleased with the officiating.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was perplexed by the criticism directed at referee Paul Tierney following the Merseyside club’s thrilling late triumph against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Heading into the final moments at the City Ground, Klopp’s side appeared to be on the verge of dropping crucial points in the title battle. However, in the ninth minute of stoppage time, Darwin Nunez fired into the bottom corner of Matz Sels’ net, sending the visitors into a frenzy.
While Liverpool was ecstatic, Forest was anything but. They had the ball when play was paused due to an injury to visiting defender Ibrahima Konate, but play was restarted with an unopposed drop ball, giving Liverpool just enough time to get downfield and win.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was reported to confront Tierney after the game, with his team’s failure putting them in relegation peril. However, Klopp appeared to be at a loss by the reply.
“Jurgen Klopp stormed past me, saying he doesn’t know why he’s getting so much flak,” claimed BBC Radio 5 Live reporter Rob Schofield, reporting from the City Ground tunnel. “It was really taking off down here. “Furious scenes.”
Tierney displayed a number of cards after the final whistle as Forest’s players and staff responded to the late drama. Coach Steven Reid was sent off, and substitute Felipe received a booking.
The result saw Liverpool move four points clear at the top of the Premier League table, but it also had an impact on the other end. Forest stay 17th, four points ahead of 18th-place Luton, who have a game in hand but lost to Aston Villa on Saturday evening.
Forest have been on the wrong end of a number of decisions this season, and have hired veteran Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg as an official advisor. Clattenburg, who has been in his new post since February, spoke with BBC Radio 5 Live following the game.
“As a club Nottingham Forest have felt one or two decisions that have gone against the club; Newcastle United, West Ham [results],” said Clattenburg. “Clear rulings in which the Premier League and PGMOL acknowledge a mistake; today is another case where the law is pretty clear.
“The legislation specifies that if a head injury occurs, the referee has the authority to stop the game. However, the ball must return to the team in possession, which in this case was Nottingham Forest.
