LIVERPOOL remain top of the Premier League after Darwin Nunez scored a 99th minute winner at Nottingham Forest.

The striker netted with one of the last touches of the game as Jurgen Klopp’s side escaped a nightmare draw in the title race.

Darwin Nunez netted a 99th minute winner to keep Liverpool top of the table

The Reds were headed for a draw to dent their title bid before Nunez pounced at the death

The home bench and players, still furious about a decision by Paul Tierney moments earlier, surrounded the official as the Forest fans sang “Cheat”.

First-team coach Steven Reid was sent off, and even owner Evangelos Marinakis was close to going on the pitch.

But once the dust had settled, it was Carabao Cup winners Liverpool who had snatched victory and a crucial three points in the title race.

The Reds’ first win at the City Ground in the Premier League – and their first league victory there for 40 years – could hardly have been more dramatic.

There had already been great chances at both ends in the time added on at the end of a competitive 90 minutes.

Forest were so close to a point in their battle at the other end of the table.

It might have been three if ANthony Elanga had converted either great chance that he had.

But after so much dogged defending, they surrendered in the very last seconds.

The first half was competitive but not of high quality.

The first big chance fell to Forest in the 23rd minute. Former Liverpool hero Divock Origi, who had already gone close with a long-range effort, found Anthony Elanga with a through ball that exposed the visitors’ high line.

But Caoimhin Kelleher came to the rescue, saving Elanga’s shot with his left leg.

At the other end Bobby Clark and Luis Diaz were Liverpool’s men most likely. When Clark’s initial shot was blocked by Andrew Omobamidele, the ball fell to Diaz at close range but Murillo made a superb block.

A few minutes later Diaz was set free on the right side of the penalty area but dragged his shot so badly it headed for the sideline.

The enigma that is Cody Gakpo chose to head a fine clipped pass from Alexis Mac Allister back across goal for reasons best known to himself.

Liverpool started the second half with more menace. An Andy Robertson cross found Clark, whose attempt to help the ball on was deflected away.

When the ball fell to Robertson in the box moments later, a goal seemed inevitable but he did not catch quite well enough and Omobamidele made another fine block.

Klopp sent on Wataru Endo and Darwin Nunez with half an hour left, in search of the crucial breakthrough.

Nunez hit the side netting from a tight angle but the next opportunity came at the other end.

Another ex-Liverpool striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, on for Origi, laid the ball back to Harry Toffolo.

His cross reached Elanga at the back post but the former Manchester United winger failed to hit the target, sending the ball back across Kelleher’s goal and wide.

As the rain teemed down, Nunez went on the charge and found Gakpo, only for the Dutchman to shoot wastefully into the side netting.

Diaz was the next guilty party, playing a good one-two with Mac Allister but firing his shot wide.

Midweek FA Cup hero Jayden Danns was thrown on with six minutes left and the desperation was evident.

First he claimed a penalty after being held by Danilo at a corner, then he earned a yellow card for a reckless jump into Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.

More stoppage time resulted from the incident. Nunez was unable to stop himself from grabbing a cross from Kostas Tsimikas, and Awoniyi’s attempt went over the crossbar.

Then, Sels’ own defender, Murillo, headed a corner from Tsimikas goalward, requiring a spectacular save from Sels.

Virgil van Dijk still had time to stop Morgan Gibbs-White’s goalbound attempt.

Forest’s fury began when Ibrahim Konate went down with an apparent head injury, only to recover quickly.

Tierney chose to re-start the game with a drop ball at Kelleher’s feet.

And as the clock ticked past the eight minutes, Nunez gave them the final sting in the tail.