Diogo Jota’s late goal ensured that Liverpool completed the semi-final line-up in the Emirates FA Cup by defeating Nottingham Forest 1-0 in an absorbing quarter-final tie at the City Ground.
It has set up a mouth-watering game between Jürgen Klopp’s men and Manchester City in the last four, as the top two teams in the Premier League – with just one point separating them – will clash at Wembley next month.
It is the end of the road for Forest, who were playing at this stage for the first time since 1996, but it was a superb effort from Steve Cooper’s side, who were looking for their third top-flight scalp of their impressive run.
This was the first time these two sides had met in 23 years and it was a stirring start, with Liverpool’s Konstantinos Tsimikas sending a long-range effort dipping over the bar.
The first big chance came after 29 minutes when a mistake from Jack Colback allowed Roberto Firmino through on goal, but his attempted chip was dealt with by Forest goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.
For all Liverpool’s possession, however, they could not force a breakthrough before half-time, as the Championship team's defence held out impressively.
The 7️⃣ year wait is 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 🤩@LFC booked their place in the #EmiratesFACup semi-finals for the first time since 2015, as the Reds' 1-0 win ended a memorable cup run for @NFFC ✨ pic.twitter.com/NRBENwV0xy
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 20, 2022
The deadlock was almost broken just before the hour mark when Harvey Elliott’s shot deflected into the path of Joe Gomez, whose own effort was heading into the top corner before it was grabbed by Horvath.
Forest had a huge chance to put themselves within sight of an upset in the 76th minute when Brennan Johnson sent in a brilliant low cross from the right, but David Zinckernagel could only shoot wide with only Alisson to beat.
Within two minutes, Liverpool made the hosts pay for that miss when Jota stretched to meet Tsimikas’ inviting cross and score his 19th goal of the season.
Forest had strong appeals for a penalty waved away when Ryan Yates ran onto James Garner’s brilliant through ball and went down in trying to round Alisson, but referee Craig Pawson was unmoved.
The hosts’ huge effort ultimately went unrewarded, but they had a couple of openings in stoppage time as Yates headed straight at Alisson before Cafu shot over after some excellent control in the box.
Speaking after the final whistle, Klopp said: "That was a proper cup match. Massive compliment for Steve Cooper and his team.
"We should have played better but they made it really difficult. They had moments but then we went 1-0 up. We came though and I'm really happy."
