What is it about Liverpool…

No one provides late-game excitement quite like Liverpool. This was the sentiment expressed by club icon Jamie Carragher after Alexis Mac Allister scored in the 97th minute, securing a vital 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

The Argentine international’s late heroics at the City Ground were part of a season defined by dramatic finishes for Liverpool. This trend has brought both elation and heartbreak for head coach Arne Slot, as his team’s title defense has faced unexpected challenges along the way.

A remarkable seven out of Liverpool’s 27 league matches this season have seen winning goals scored after the 90th minute—the most for any team in a single season. Four of those late winners have come against Slot’s side, underscoring the risks of playing in such tightly contested matches, especially in a season where their confidence has often wavered.

“I felt happy and relieved,” Slot remarked after Sunday’s match. “Our performance today, particularly in the first half, was not reflective of what we’ve achieved many times this season. We’ve often been on the wrong side of the result despite good performances, but today we perhaps got more than we deserved. A draw would have felt fairer.”

This balanced reflection from the Dutch manager comes after witnessing his team repeatedly thwarted by fine margins this season. With UEFA Champions League qualification on the line, Liverpool must learn to control games and limit late recoveries. But why do late goals dominate their matches, and what can Slot do to change this?

‘Mentality Monsters’ Experience Their Own Medicine

Liverpool’s knack for clinching late-game victories is not a new phenomenon. The club has accumulated 48 winning goals in the final minutes of matches, far surpassing any other team in the Premier League.

This relentless spirit was a defining characteristic of the Jürgen Klopp era, with the German manager famously dubbing his team “mentality monsters” following a last-minute comeback against Southampton in April 2019. This label has stuck, representing the club’s spirit and resilience in overcoming adversity.

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This innate quality has been fundamental to Liverpool’s success on both domestic and European fronts, with captain Virgil van Dijk asserting that their strong mentality was crucial to overcoming Forest, notably following Mac Allister’s disallowed goal for handball in the 90th minute.

“I agree that we showcased strong mentality because, after the goal was disallowed, the momentum swung, and the Forest fans rallied behind them,” Van Dijk reflected. “They may have thought this was their chance to regroup following their earlier disappointment.

“However, I think we managed to create chaos during our throw-ins, ultimately leading to our winning goal. At times, our resilience was doubted this season, but in recent matches, we’ve demonstrated consistent performances.”

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Slot: Liverpool ‘got more than we deserved’ in Forest win

Arne Slot suggests Liverpool enjoyed some luck during their 1-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest, thanks to Mac Allister’s late strike.

While Liverpool’s resolve is commendable, their struggle to dominate matches has seen them suffer late setbacks as well. Earlier this month, Manchester City pulled off a 2-1 comeback victory at Anfield, with Erling Haaland scoring the winner from the penalty spot in the 93rd minute.

With four stoppage-time goals conceded, Liverpool shares the record for the most in a single Premier League season, alongside Watford in 2017-18 and 2021-22, West Ham United in 2021-22, and Southampton in 2024-25. The Reds have also seen injury-time goals against Leeds United and Fulham, turning what could have been morale-boosting wins into costly draws. The eight points dropped in stoppage time this season are the most by any team in the league, reshaping Liverpool’s season.

Slot acknowledged after the City loss that he can’t pin down his team’s late-game faults to a single cause. “Each time it’s a different goal,” he said. “I’ve often mentioned that our next step is to stop relying on that pass or a specific decision. We’re progressing—it’s clear if you compare it to three or four months ago—but this progress isn’t reflected in our league standing, which is ultimately the main indicator of our status.”

Even during last season when they claimed the title, Liverpool often found themselves battling for points. A mere seven of their last 20 league fixtures in 2024-25 were won by a margin of two or more goals, with only two matches decided by a differential of three goals or more. This quest for more comfortable victories led to the club’s record summer spending of nearly £450 million, although this investment has yet to yield the desired results.

While there is optimism surrounding their latest signings’ potential to drive Liverpool towards long-term success, significant injuries to Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, and Giovanni Leoni have curtailed their impact this season, while standout midfielder Florian Wirtz is still acclimating to the demands of the Premier League.

Slow Starts and Limited Goal Options Burden Liverpool

This season, one of Liverpool’s most significant shortcomings has been their tendency to start games sluggishly. They have recorded just 13 first-half goals in the league, with their current average of 0.48 scoring in the opening half ranked as their second-lowest in Premier League history and the third lowest overall in the club’s history.

Only seven teams have managed to score fewer goals than Liverpool in the first halves of matches, with five of them sitting in the league’s lower half. Moreover, the Reds have netted just three goals in the opening half-hour of league fixtures this term, two of which came in the same match against local rivals Everton in September.

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These statistics starkly contrast with Liverpool’s performance in the second halves of matches. Only league leaders Arsenal have scored more goals than Liverpool after halftime. However, in recent months, the Reds have often found themselves in a position where they have too much to overcome, compounded by a lack of impactful players available from the bench.

In the match against Forest, an injury to Wirtz during warmups left the bench weakened, forcing Curtis Jones to step in for him. The fact that Liverpool’s most influential substitute was 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha, who impressed after coming on late, reflects the limited options available to Slot.

Having such a thin squad has frequently caused Liverpool to fade in the latter stages of games, making them vulnerable to late surges from opponents. The Premier League’s growing emphasis on set pieces has also been detrimental in closing moments, although Liverpool has begun to turn their luck around in this area since the new year.

In the first 26 competitive matches this season, Liverpool conceded goals from 13 set pieces while managing to score from eight. This prompted the departure of set-piece coach Aaron Briggs in December. While Slot has defended Briggs’ role, the fact that they have since conceded from only two set pieces while scoring from eight in the following 13 matches indicates a clear improvement in form.

Despite the prevalence of late goals, it’s noteworthy that Liverpool’s overall scoring has dipped compared to previous seasons. Their current tally of 42 league goals marks the lowest at this stage of a campaign since 2015-16.

Mohamed Salah, who led the team in scoring for eight of the last nine seasons, hasn’t found the net in the league since November 1, marking his longest dry spell in his career at nine matches. Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo has only two goals to his name since October 25, spanning 17 matches.

With goals hard to come by, it’s no surprise that many of Liverpool’s matches remain finely balanced as they near the end.

Challenges Ahead for Slot

It’s evident that Slot faces a challenging task in finding a quick solution to his side’s late-game issues. However, the anticipated return of key players in the coming weeks, including Wirtz and Frimpong for the clash against West Ham next weekend, could provide a significant boost. Isak is also on track to return to full training next month.

Isak, who netted over 20 goals in each of his past two seasons at Newcastle United, could provide Liverpool with the additional firepower needed to secure decisive victories. His return would ease the burden on Hugo Ekitike, the club’s top scorer with 15 goals across all competitions.

Moreover, starting matches with greater intensity—especially at Anfield—could help reduce Liverpool’s reliance on last-minute goals. Employing the talented Ngumoha earlier in games might also enhance their offensive dynamics. Ultimately, it seems that a significant overhaul may be necessary this summer to fully equip Slot’s squad for consistent performance over 90 minutes.

Adding pace on the wings should be a top priority for the club, alongside finding a more resilient profile in midfield. But until the transfer window opens, Liverpool supporters can expect more exhilarating finishers in their matches.

For neutral fans, Liverpool remains one of the Premier League’s most thrilling teams to watch.