Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted his side delivered their worst performance of the season despite snatching a dramatic late win at the City Ground.

The Reds looked out of sorts for long spells against Nottingham Forest F.C.. Former captain Jamie Carragher labelled their first-half display a “horror show”.

Yet Liverpool left with all three points.

Alexis Mac Allister struck deep into stoppage time to seal the victory. The midfielder had earlier seen a goal ruled out by VAR.

“The first half was really poor — the worst we’ve played so far,” Slot said. “The second half was much better. We controlled the game more.

“We didn’t perform like we have so many times this season. A draw would have been fairer. Today we got more than we deserved.”

Forest dominated large parts of the game and unsettled Liverpool with their intensity. But fortune swung late on.

Mac Allister thought he had won it in the 89th minute when the ball deflected in off him. However, VAR spotted the ball had struck his elbow and disallowed the goal.

“I always struggle to celebrate with VAR,” Slot admitted. “You never know what they might find. When they ruled it out, I thought maybe luck still wasn’t on our side.

“Then a few minutes later we scored again. They checked it for a long time, but this time the referee pointed to the centre circle.”

Alexis Mac Allister was Liverpool’s hero (Nick Potts/PA)

Liverpool also reshuffled before kick-off. Florian Wirtz pulled out during the warm-up with back pain.

“We don’t think it’s serious,” Slot said. “But he couldn’t reach 100 per cent. In this league, you must be fully fit. We expect him back next week.”

New Forest boss Vítor Pereira cut a frustrated figure after the final whistle. The Portuguese manager, who recently replaced Sean Dyche, praised his team’s display but blasted the result.

“I’m frustrated. Angry with football,” Pereira said. “The score was very unfair. But this is football. We must keep the positives and come back stronger.”