Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo was left bitterly disappointed after Liverpool scored a controversial late winner at the City Ground on Saturday.
Darwin Nunez broke the host’s hearts with a last gasp header in the 99th minute – the Reds’ latest winning goal in a Premier League tie since records began in 2006/07.
But Forest were fuming after the final whistle as minutes earlier the game was stopped when Ibrahima Konate went down with an apparent head injury and the ball was given back to Liverpool – even though the home side had been in possession before the break in play.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis entered the pitch after the game, while assistant coach Steven Reid was sent for his protestations and substitute Felipe was booked.
“I don’t want to talk about the referee, sorry,” Nuno told BBC Match of the Day after the final whistle.
“We are frustrated, we are disappointed, we are sad. We did a good job and the City Ground, as always, was amazing for us. The disappointment is not giving the supporters what they deserve.”
The contest was reminiscent of their midweek defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup in that they created chances but failed to get on the scoresheet before succumbing to a late goal.
“We have chances, we don’t score and then we get punished at the end,” he said.
The Portuguese coach insisted the Midland outfit’s performance “was good”, before adding: “We created moments and clear situations. The boys did really well. We are sad, it will take a while.”
Forest are just four points above the relegation zone in the Premier League table and are expected to receive a points deduction for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Liverpool, meanwhile, extended their lead at the top of the standings to four points ahead of next week’s crunch encounter with Manchester City.
