Diogo Jota’s 78th minute winner saw Liverpool knock Nottingham Forest out of the Quarter-Finals of 2021-22 FA Cup.
A scrappy match saw both teams waste several chances throughout with Forest’s Philip Zinckernagel going closest in the 76th minute as he fired wide from close range.
Jota however flicked in a crucial winner just two minutes later from Konstantinos Tsimikas’ cross to send Liverpool through to the semi-finals, where they will face Manchester City after the Citizens thrashed Southampton 4-1 in the mid-afternoon kick-off.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace thrashed Everton 4-0 in the lunchtime kick-off as Marc Guehi, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Wilfried Zaha and Will Hughes all found the net, which means that Palace will face Chelsea in a cross-London derby in the other semi-final.
A scrappy opening ten minutes saw both Forest and Liverpool enjoy a lively start with Ethan Hovrath and Alisson both in early action, denying Harvey Elliott and Brennan Johnson respectively before Naby Keita blocked Keinan Davis’ sixth minute shot.
Liverpool’s Konstantinos Tsimikas then curled over from 25 yards eight minutes later with Forest immediately attacking up the other end, only for Ryan Yates to fire wide from Joe Lolley’s pass.
Joe Gomez, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino and Tsimikas then all wasted excellent chances as Liverpool proceeded to control the first-half, whilst Diogo Jota saw his flicked effort from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s 31st minute pass fly straight into Horvath’s arms.
Tsimikas then missed another great opportunity as he fired wide a 37th minute shot from Jota’s knockdown header in the last decent chance of the first-half.
After the break, Forest emerged as the more energetic team as James Garner saw a free-kick saved in the 47th minute, before Alisson blocked Davis from firing upon goal in a 1v1 duel inside the box just two minutes later.
Jota and Oxlade-Chamberlain then saw chances denied as both teams continued to waste chances which led Liverpool manager – Jurgen Klopp to make four substitutions at once in the 64th minute with Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, Luis Diaz and Takumi Minamino brought on.
Forest however proceeded to waste the next biggest chance in the 76th minute, as Philip Zinckernagel fired wide unmarked from Johnson’s low curled cross from the right flank.
The hosts eventually were punished two minutes later as Jota flicked Tsimikas’ cross from the left into goal from an outstretched right leg, with Video-Assistant Referee (VAR) ruling him marginally onside after a review.
Further drama ensured when Alisson minimally caught Yates as he cleared the ball in the 85th minute with Forest players demanding a penalty, only for referee – Craig Pawson and VAR to rule no penalty due to Yates dragging his foot slightly after contact.
Liverpool eventually clung on to snatch their first win at the City Ground since 1984 and secure a blockbuster semi-final tie against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, with the match taking place on 16 or 17 April 2022.
Teams
Nottingham Forest: Ethan Hovrath, Djed Spence, Joe Worrall, Tobias Figueiredo, Jack Colback (Silva 90+1′), Ryan Yates, James Garner, Joe Lolley (Ribeiro Dias 65′), Phillip Zinckernagel (Mighten 78′), Brennan Johnson, Keinan Davis (Surridge 77′)
Substitutes: Loic Mbe Soh, Gaetan Bong, Richie Laryea, Sam Surridge, Alex Mighten, Ribeiro Dias, Xande Silva, Braian Ojeda, Brice Samba
Liverpool: Alisson, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Naby Keita (Henderson 64′), Fabinho (Thiago Alcantara 64′), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Diaz 64′), Harvey Elliott (Minamino 64′), Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota
Substitutes: Thiago Alcantara, Adrian, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones, Takumi Minamino, Luis Diaz, Divock Origi, Joel Matip, Owen Beck
Attendance – 28, 584
Emirates Player of the Match – Joe Worrall (Nottingham Forest)
Leave a Reply