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The FA Cup - Sixth Round
Nottm ForestNottingham Forest0LiverpoolLiverpool1

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp's side set up semi-final date against Man City after edging past hosts

By Steve SutcliffeBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section FA Cupcomments2133

Liverpool will play Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley after edging past Nottingham Forest in a pulsating encounter at the City Ground.

Diogo Jota scored the only goal of the game for the visitors, prodding in Konstantinos Tsimikas' cross from the left with 12 minutes remaining.

Jurgen Klopp's quadruple-chasing side dominated possession but were made to work for their victory by their relentless Championship opponents.

Steve Cooper's side saw a late penalty appeal turned down by VAR when midfielder Ryan Yates fell after a challenge with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.

The hosts also regarded Philip Zinckernagel's miss as decisive to the outcome, the Danish winger side-footing wide from six yards from Brennan Johnson's inviting cross just a couple of minutes before Jota's goal.

"I think the game was decided on a defining two minutes - we had a good chance that we didn't take and they created one and did," said Cooper.

While Forest had already beaten both Arsenal and Leicester in this season's competition, they found themselves taking a significant step up in class against Liverpool despite Klopp making seven changes to his starting XI.

And while they were galvanised by the electric atmosphere in what was the first meeting between the clubs in the FA Cup since the rescheduled 1989 semi-final that followed the Hillsborough disaster, they spent long periods of the game under severe pressure.

Yates also had a chance to head a late equaliser, but Liverpool, who also carved open several excellent opportunities of their own, deservedly advanced to the last four.

The City Ground
Nottingham Forest left 97 seats vacant for game with Liverpool to honour those who lost their lives because of the Hillsborough disaster.

Polished Liverpool maintain momentum

While Forest made an encouraging start despite the absence of three first-choice defenders, Liverpool's Premier League pedigree quickly became evident.

The visitors' slick movement repeatedly caused problems as did the hosts' own attempts to play out from the back.

And had Roberto Firmino not fluffed a golden chance to open the scoring, Klopp's side would have headed into the interval with a deserved advantage and possibly having laid the platform for a more convincing performance.

Instead the Brazilian's attempted dink was well saved by Forest goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, who bailed out his team after Jack Colback's glaring mistake.

"It was the game we expected, especially if you don't use your chances," said Klopp.

"We could have played better, but we should have scored in the first half. If we scored earlier it would be a completely different game. Everything was prepared to give us a knock as well but because we were prepared for a fight we came through."

Reinforcements were summoned just after the hour mark with Jordan Henderson, Thiago, Takumi Minamino and Luis Diaz all introduced to try and turn the contest in Liverpool's favour.

But having survived a scare at one end of the pitch it was Jota who made the difference with his 19th goal of the campaign - his best ever return in front of goal in a single season.

And it ensured that Liverpool reached the semi-final of the competition for the first time under Klopp and maintained their superb domestic form which has seen them win 13 consecutive games plus the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea after a penalty shootout.

Forest turn focus to promotion

Forest were bottom of the Championship when Cooper took charge in September and the former England Under-17s boss has since overseen a significant upturn in fortunes.

This was only Forest's second defeat since the turn of the year and, while they will take heart from pushing one of Europe's elite clubs so close, they can now focus all of their attention on trying to join Liverpool in the Premier League next term.

Forest are three points off the Championship play-off positions with games in hand on all the sides around them in the table.

And if the likes of Joe Worrall, Joe Garner and Keinan Davis continue to perform in the same vein as they did here, they appear to have the spine of a team capable of reaching the top flight for the first time since 1999.

Player of the match

WorrallJoe Worrall

with an average of 7.36

Nottingham Forest

  1. Squad number4Player nameWorrall
    Average rating

    7.36

  2. Squad number37Player nameGarner
    Average rating

    7.02

  3. Squad number20Player nameJohnson
    Average rating

    6.85

  4. Squad number22Player nameYates
    Average rating

    6.80

  5. Squad number9Player nameDavis
    Average rating

    6.77

  6. Squad number2Player nameSpence
    Average rating

    6.74

  7. Squad number23Player nameLolley
    Average rating

    6.73

  8. Squad number18Player nameCafú
    Average rating

    6.64

  9. Squad number1Player nameHorvath
    Average rating

    6.64

  10. Squad number3Player nameTobias Figueiredo
    Average rating

    6.54

  11. Squad number11Player nameZinckernagel
    Average rating

    6.50

  12. Squad number16Player nameSurridge
    Average rating

    6.38

  13. Squad number8Player nameColback
    Average rating

    6.35

  14. Squad number17Player nameMighten
    Average rating

    6.24

  15. Squad number19Player nameXande Silva
    Average rating

    6.15

Liverpool

  1. Squad number4Player namevan Dijk
    Average rating

    6.82

  2. Squad number1Player nameAlisson
    Average rating

    6.78

  3. Squad number20Player nameDiogo Jota
    Average rating

    6.76

  4. Squad number21Player nameTsimikas
    Average rating

    6.62

  5. Squad number5Player nameKonaté
    Average rating

    6.54

  6. Squad number12Player nameGomez
    Average rating

    6.48

  7. Squad number3Player nameFabinho
    Average rating

    6.45

  8. Squad number6Player nameThiago Alcántara
    Average rating

    6.36

  9. Squad number9Player nameRoberto Firmino
    Average rating

    6.34

  10. Squad number23Player nameDíaz
    Average rating

    6.34

  11. Squad number14Player nameHenderson
    Average rating

    6.23

  12. Squad number18Player nameMinamino
    Average rating

    6.15

  13. Squad number8Player nameKeïta
    Average rating

    6.00

  14. Squad number15Player nameOxlade-Chamberlain
    Average rating

    5.96

  15. Squad number67Player nameElliott
    Average rating

    5.92

Line-ups

Nottm Forest

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Horvath
  • 2Spence
  • 4Worrall
  • 3Figueiredo
  • 8ColbackSubstituted forCosta Silvaat 90+1'minutes
  • 22Yates
  • 37Garner
  • 23LolleySubstituted forRibeiro Diasat 65'minutes
  • 11ZinckernagelSubstituted forMightenat 78'minutes
  • 20Johnson
  • 9DavisSubstituted forSurridgeat 77'minutes

Substitutes

  • 6Mbe Soh
  • 13Bong
  • 14Laryea
  • 16Surridge
  • 17Mighten
  • 18Ribeiro Dias
  • 19Costa Silva
  • 21Ojeda
  • 30Samba

Liverpool

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Alisson
  • 12GomezBooked at 60mins
  • 5Konaté
  • 4van Dijk
  • 21Tsimikas
  • 8KeïtaSubstituted forHendersonat 64'minutes
  • 3FabinhoSubstituted forThiago Alcántaraat 64'minutes
  • 15Oxlade-ChamberlainSubstituted forDíazat 64'minutes
  • 67ElliottSubstituted forMinaminoat 64'minutes
  • 9Firmino
  • 20Jota

Substitutes

  • 6Thiago Alcántara
  • 13Adrián
  • 14Henderson
  • 17Jones
  • 18Minamino
  • 23Díaz
  • 27Origi
  • 32Matip
  • 63Beck
Referee:
Craig Pawson
Attendance:
28,584

Match Stats

Home TeamNottm ForestAway TeamLiverpool
Possession
Home35%
Away65%
Shots
Home6
Away14
Shots on Target
Home1
Away7
Corners
Home2
Away7
Fouls
Home7
Away11

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Nottingham Forest 0, Liverpool 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Nottingham Forest 0, Liverpool 1.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (Liverpool) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Takumi Minamino.

  4. Post update

    Offside, Liverpool. Jordan Henderson tries a through ball, but Roberto Firmino is caught offside.

  5. Post update

    Attempt missed. Cafú (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Tobias Figueiredo with a through ball.

  6. Substitution

    Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Xande Silva replaces Jack Colback.

  7. Post update

    Attempt saved. Ryan Yates (Nottingham Forest) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Brennan Johnson with a cross.

  8. Post update

    Foul by Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool).

  9. Post update

    Sam Surridge (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  10. Post update

    Foul by Konstantinos Tsimikas (Liverpool).

  11. Post update

    Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  12. Post update

    Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Tobias Figueiredo.

  13. Goal!

    Goal! Nottingham Forest 0, Liverpool 1. Diogo Jota (Liverpool) right footed shot from very close range to the top right corner. Assisted by Konstantinos Tsimikas with a cross.

  14. Substitution

    Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Alex Mighten replaces Philip Zinckernagel.

  15. Substitution

    Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Sam Surridge replaces Keinan Davis.

  16. Post update

    Attempt missed. Philip Zinckernagel (Nottingham Forest) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Brennan Johnson with a cross following a fast break.

  17. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Takumi Minamino (Liverpool) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.

  18. Post update

    Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Keinan Davis (Nottingham Forest).

  20. Substitution

    Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Cafú replaces Joe Lolley.

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2133 comments

  • Comment posted by Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC, at 19:58 20 Mar

    Putting this evening’s result aside for a moment, Nottingham Forest leaving 97 seats vacant to honour the 97 Liverpool fans who died when these two teams last met in this competition in 1989, was such a wonderful gesture.
    Thank you, Forest.

    • Reply posted by Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd, at 20:02 20 Mar

      Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd replied:
      Seriously who would downvote this post??? Some sad people out there.

  • Comment posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 19:59 20 Mar

    A cracking cup tie. Forest gave Liverpool a better game than many PL sides have this season. Good luck on your promotion ambitions, Forest.

    • Reply posted by Splash, at 20:03 20 Mar

      Splash replied:
      I'll 2nd that

  • Comment posted by zee4, at 20:05 20 Mar

    I'm a neutral fan. Cracking game and atmosphere. Well done Forest. VAR decision for Liverpool's goal showed he was onside, not sure what people are on about. As for the penalty, Alisson's arm was on the ground and as the Forest player went past he rolled his one foot over Alisson's arm and went down. Never a penalty. Not sure where the debate is. Anyway what a great game!

    • Reply posted by yjam, at 20:13 20 Mar

      yjam replied:
      I think you need to luck a little further to home about players leaving their foot behind to con penalties! A well renowned tactic from the likes of salah / mane / jota etc! What I would say is why do liverpool players feel the need to cheat? Are they coached to do so?

  • Comment posted by david, at 20:05 20 Mar

    So the 3 Championship teams are out. Middlesbrough, Forest and Everton.

    • Reply posted by Sorry For Your Loss, at 20:06 20 Mar

      Sorry For Your Loss replied:
      Ohhhhh, a bit harsh, don't you think?

  • Comment posted by Teddy M, at 20:04 20 Mar

    As a Ram with many Forest mates, I’m glad of the result just so I don’t have to hear all about it for the next fortnight. However, Forest gave a great account of themselves throughout the tournament, and the 97 tickets was a real touch of class. Respect

  • Comment posted by Mark, at 19:59 20 Mar

    Given L'pool a better game than 75% of Premier League teams this season

    • Reply posted by Celts, at 20:05 20 Mar

      Celts replied:
      Not really a surprise considering Liverpool started the game without Trent, Matip, Robertson, Henderson, Thiago, Mane, Diaz and Salah!

  • Comment posted by Spesh, at 20:21 20 Mar

    As a lifelong Forest fan I am proud of my team for putting in such a fantastic performance against one of the best sides in Europe, can’t argue with the result as they put one of there chances away straight after we missed ours. Definitely wasn’t a penalty so VAR got that right, even if the goal decision was debatable but that is what it is there for. COYR🔴⚪️🔴⚪️

    • Reply posted by SmegleyBoo, at 20:39 20 Mar

      SmegleyBoo replied:
      Yeah unfortunately they deserved the win but we deserve the plaudits. We were outstanding against a Prem team again.

  • Comment posted by Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC, at 19:58 20 Mar

    A very energetic performance by Forest, they soaked up the Liverpool pressure and how the game may have turned out for Forest if they have hit the target with that superb opportunity moments before Liverpool scored.
    Once Liverpool scored, credit to Forest for not giving up and still fighting right until the end.

  • Comment posted by Beeb Account, at 20:07 20 Mar

    The 97 seats a nice touch.

    Good effort Forest, turned it into a scrap, it was worth a punt.

  • Comment posted by deano33, at 20:12 20 Mar

    Liverpool fan here and I have no idea how we won that.Absolutely brilliant from Forrest who gave Liverpool one hell of a fight and should be extremely proud of themselves.Looking forward to seeing you in the Premier League hopefully soon.

    • Reply posted by Axemad, at 20:14 20 Mar

      Axemad replied:
      It’s Forest

  • Comment posted by Not John Barnes, at 20:11 20 Mar

    Unlucky Forest fans, even as a Liverpool fan, I would've been happy to see you go through tonight.

    The 97 seats left empty was a real touch of class.

    All the best for the promotion push. I for one hope you do it.

  • Comment posted by ru4eel, at 20:07 20 Mar

    I was fortunate enough to watch some of the great encounters with Cloughies Forest and this one had me on the edge of my seat as much as any of them. For 95 minutes I was 10 years old again. Well done Forest I hope we are playing you again next season.

    • Reply posted by ru4eel, at 20:12 20 Mar

      ru4eel replied:
      Whoever down voted me please explain.

  • Comment posted by Guybrush Threepwood, at 20:01 20 Mar

    Liverpool aren’t ‘bidding’ for the quadruple. Only the media are talking about it, and it’s never going to happen.

    • Reply posted by Garrincha, at 20:08 20 Mar

      Garrincha replied:
      How appropriate, you fight like a cow

  • Comment posted by Noisy Neighbour, at 20:05 20 Mar

    What's happened to Roy Keane? Never seen him so happy and jolly! Probably because he's away from Neville..

    • Reply posted by Navers, at 20:18 20 Mar

      Navers replied:
      Or Micah, AAAAA-HAAA-HA-HA-HA-HA...

  • Comment posted by Liam, at 20:23 20 Mar

    I've supported Forest since the early 1980s and the Clough era. There has been many false dawns at the club in recent years, poor management, players not wanting to play for the club.

    Cooper has been nothing but a revelation. The atmosphere in the ground, respectful supporters, the commitment and desire of the players. It transported me back in time.

    Forest are back. The PL beckons.

    • Reply posted by ru4eel, at 20:28 20 Mar

      ru4eel replied:
      Have to agree. You played well today.

      YNWA

  • Comment posted by Rhodestan, at 20:19 20 Mar

    Never a penalty. He tried to do what Vardy and Kane do every time they run into the box. Leave a leg trailing into a player and cheat the ref.

    • Reply posted by James, at 20:21 20 Mar

      James replied:
      I think your boy Diaz did it as well about a minute after he came onto the pitch

  • Comment posted by duxbuk, at 20:31 20 Mar

    Well done Forest. We were a tad short today. Credit where it's due Liverpool just had too much. Thought the game was played in a good spirit. We had our chances but failed to finish. As someone who was there at Hillsboro all those years ago i thought the 97 seats was a nice touch.

  • Comment posted by midnightrun, at 20:03 20 Mar

    Never a penalty, the bloke tries too hard and it's obvious he tries to force the contact with Alisson's hand. Nottingham Forest played well though, they didn't get here through luck.

    • Reply posted by ABU Hamster, at 20:09 20 Mar

      ABU Hamster replied:
      And the offside goal...?

  • Comment posted by Headline Grabbing Slogan Here, at 20:10 20 Mar

    The Stats didn't do that game justice - it was a good, close game.

    Forest certainly looked more like a PL team than Everton!

    • Reply posted by LuvSoccah, at 20:24 20 Mar

      LuvSoccah replied:
      Their ninth in the table don’t get ahead of yourself

  • Comment posted by lynne, at 20:11 20 Mar

    An impressive performance from a team whose whole club cost less than Van Dijk! No doubt that NFFC belong in the PL. What a team, what a manager.