Slot Hails Mac Allister's Revival After Dramatic Late Winner at Forest

 

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed his delight at Alexis Mac Allister's resurgence, praising the Argentine midfielder for rediscovering his best form following a crucial last-gasp winner against Nottingham Forest.

Mac Allister etched his name into the headlines once again on Sunday, firing home in the 97th minute to secure a 1-0 victory at the City Ground. The goal came moments after a potential winner from the same player was controversially ruled out by VAR for handball, adding to the drama of a hard-fought Premier League encounter.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Slot highlighted Mac Allister's consistency in recent weeks as key to his improved performances. The Dutch coach noted that the 27-year-old needed a sustained run of games to regain the level he showed last season, when he was instrumental in Liverpool's successes.

"I've seen much more consistency recently, not only in Macca's performance but in the team performance and many individual performances," Slot said. He added that Mac Allister's mentality was crucial in those decisive moments: "It was not a surprise to me that Macca was both times our goal-scorer, because he played with the mentality you need to play in these games... What he needed is what he showed in the last six, seven or eight games, a run of games where he’s getting back to his usual level that he showed so many times last season."

Mac Allister endured a challenging start to the campaign, with fitness issues following a prior injury and the integration of new signings disrupting team chemistry. Slot has previously acknowledged these factors, describing a "combination" of elements that slowed the midfielder's progress under the new regime.

However, the late strike against Forest—capping a comeback after a subdued first half—underscored Mac Allister's growing influence. Slot admitted Liverpool were fortunate to claim all three points but was quick to credit his side's resilience and the No.10's contributions.

The win keeps Liverpool pushing in the Premier League standings, and Slot's comments suggest growing optimism around one of their key creative forces. As the Reds continue their title defense, Mac Allister's return to form could prove vital in the run-in.

(Word count: ~420. Sources include post-match comments reported across outlets like SuperSport, Liverpool.com, Rousing the Kop, and The Guardian match coverage from February 22-23, 2026.)