Furious Forest owner 'confronts referee down tunnel' after late Liverpool winner

02 March 2024 , 17:32

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Forest were furious with Liverpool's winning goal (Image: PA)

Fuming Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis reportedly had to be restrained by security after confronting referee Paul Tierney down the tunnel following Liverpool's late winner at the City Ground.

Substitute Darwin Nunez scored in the ninth minute of added time - after a minimum of eight had been allowed - to secure a huge three points for the Reds in the title race and take a point away from the relegation threatened hosts.

But Forest were livid after Tierney had earlier stopped play when Forest were attacking due to a head injury for Ibrahima Konate. He then restarted with an uncontested drop ball for Liverpool, who progressed up the pitch and ultimately scored when Nunez headed home an Alexis Mac Allister cross.

In the aftermath the goal there were furious scenes on the benches, and Forest coach Steven Reid was sent off and substitute Felipe was yellow carded by Tierney, who was surrounded by players and staff.

BBC Radio Five Live reporter Rob Schofield was inside the City Ground tunnel after the match, and said: "You rarely see scenes like that in the tunnel. We saw Steven Reid getting frustrated. He and the Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis pursued referee Paul Tierney and fourth official Graham Scott all the way to referee's office yelling at them "Respect the players! Respect the players! This happens every week! Respect the players!"

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Marinakis reported chased Tierney down the tunnel (AFP via Getty Images)

Schofield continued: "Marinakis had to be removed by security at one stage. The Forest players were furious, Nuno looked absolutely crestfallen. Jurgen Klopp stormed past me saying he doesn't know why he's getting so much flak. It really was all kicking off down here. Furious scenes."

Klopp later said: "Most difficult game we played because of the circumstances. Four games in 11 days is really tricky with the squad situation we have. It was super special. You could see it didn't go easy for us today in any part of the game. It's so hard. How we have four wins, I can't believe.

"Incredible assist in the very last second. Wonderful feeling. I'm really happy. I can't ask for more than what the boys are doing. Next Sunday would be a massive game anyway. Before that we play a difficult game in Prague. We have to keep going, recover."

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Mark Jones