Liverpool's knack for late drama reached new heights Sunday when Alexis Mac Allister scored in the 97th minute to beat Nottingham Forest 1-0. The stoppage-time winner marked Liverpool's seventh Premier League game this season featuring a goal after the 90th minute, the most by any team in a single campaign in league history.

This late-game pattern has been a double-edged sword for Arne Slot's side. While Liverpool have scored four stoppage-time winners, they've also conceded four, tying the record for most late goals allowed in a Premier League season. The Reds have dropped eight points in stoppage time alone, dramatically altering their title defense trajectory. Slot acknowledged his team's inconsistent performance, admitting they 'got more than we deserved' against Forest.

Liverpool's propensity for late goals isn't new—it's been a hallmark since the Jürgen Klopp era when the club earned the 'mentality monsters' nickname. However, their inability to control games has left them vulnerable to late sucker punches, including Manchester City's 93rd-minute winner at Anfield earlier this month. With Champions League qualification at stake, Liverpool must find ways to exert authority earlier in matches rather than relying on late heroics.