FIGHT CLUB

Virgil delighted to see champs scrap it out

- BY PAUL GORST

VIRGIL van Dijk says Liverpool answered their critics with their last-gasp winner against Nottingham Forest which proves the mentality that exists within Arne Slot's squad.

‘And the Reds captain believes Alexis Mac Allister’s 97th-minute strike was just reward for a much-improved second half at the City Ground as Slot’s side went level on points with Chelsea in fourth on Sunday.

The defending Premier League champions were second best during a poor opening 45 minutes but regrouped at the interval and had big chances after the break through Curtis Jones and Hugo Ekitike, who were both denied by new Forest keeper Stefan Ortega.

Mac Allister thought he had won it in bizarre circumstances when blocking an attempted clearance from Ola Aina in the closing stages but a VAR check ruled it out for handball.