Liverpool was made to work extremely hard for the result. Still, they ultimately found the breakthrough, narrowly getting by Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup quarter-finals thanks to Jota’s toe-poked finish after 78 minutes.
It seemed a matter of time until the visitors would find the opening goal, such was their superiority.
But Cooper’s side kept the opposition honest, occasionally hitting on a rapid counter-attack through Johnson or Davis.
The best game chance for the hosts fell to Zinckernagel at 0-0, but he was unable to convert from close range, giving Jota a chance to seal the deal two minutes later.
The win sees Liverpool go on to the semi-finals where they will play Manchester City, while the competition ends for Nottingham Forest.
Starting Lineup:
NOTTINGHAM FOREST XI (3-4-1-2): Ethan Horvath;
Jack Colback, Tobias Figueiredo, Joe Worrall;
Joe Lolley, James Garner, Ryan Yates, Djed Spence; Philip Zinckernagel;
Keinan Davis, Brennan Johnson.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST SUBS: Braian Ojeda, Sam Surridge, Alex Mighten, Brice Samba,
Xande Silva, Richie Laryea, Gaetan Bong, Cafu, Loic Mbe Soh.
LIVERPOOL XI (4-3-3): Alisson;
Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil Van Dijk, Kostas Tsimikas;
Naby Keita, Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain;
Harvey Elliott, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota.
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Thiago, Joel Matip, Adrian, Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz, Divock Origi,
Jordan Henderson, Owen Beck, Takumi Minamino.
Goals:
LIVERPOOL TAKE THE LEAD! 1-0! Tsimikas wraps a right-footed cross to the far post looking for the run of Jota, who does just enough to remain onside before lunging at the delivery and steering it past Horvath with a toe.
So, where else do Nottingham Forest and Liverpool go from here?
Nottingham Forest is back in action after the international break against Blackpool in the Championship on April 2.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will host Watford in the Premier League on the same day.
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