Virgil van Dijk hails impact of two Liverpool players after late Forest win

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk reserved special praise for Darwin Nunez and Alexis Mac Allister after the two combined to seal a dramatic win at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The Reds' five-match winning run appeared to be coming to an end at the City Ground with the full-time whistle approaching and the scores locked at 0-0. However, Nunez came up with a 99th-minute winner to snatch all three points and maintain Liverpool's place at the top of the Premier League table.

Speaking to reporters post-match, Van Dijk was asked whether he ever thought it just wasn't going to be Liverpool's day.

"No, no, no, the game was not over so I still had the belief," he replied. "We've shown over the course of my time here that we never give up. We always keep going. We found a way and that’s the most important thing."

Nunez was only just making his return from injury, and Van Dijk spoke of his admiration of the Uruguayan's efforts so far this season.

"Darwin's been so important for us this season and it's great to have him back out there. It's a big goal and a well deserved win in the end," he added.

The winning goal was teed up by Alexis Mac Allister, who floated a delicate cross back into the Forest box after the hosts failed to clear a corner.

Regarding Mac Allister's impact since signing from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer, Van Dijk said: "He's an outstanding player both with and without the ball. He's made such a big difference to the way we play in a positive sense. He has to keep doing that and stay fit."

Liverpool travel to Sparta Prague in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie on Thursday before welcoming Premier League title rivals Manchester City to Anfield on Sunday.

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