Nottingham Forest put in a performance to be proud of as their stunning FA Cup run came to an end at the quarter-final stage.
They bowed out to Liverpool 1-0 at the City Ground, thanks to Diogo Jota’s goal. But the Reds more than gave their opponents a game, holding their own against the visitors - and going so close to pulling off another giant-killing.
With owner Evangelos Marinakis in attendance for the first time since March 2020, the hosts looked to get on the front foot early on. Liverpool looked dangerous when they broke forward, but Forest were positive in their play, too.
Read more: Cooper's verdict on defeat to Liverpool
Read more: Jota calls Forest a 'great team'
And the Reds did create some decent openings in a first 45 minutes played at a frantic pace. Ryan Yates had an effort deflected behind in the first quarter of an hour, while Joe Lolley cut inside from the right and had a go just before the half hour mark, driving the ball just wide.
At the other end of the pitch, Forest limited their opponents to very little. Joe Worrall made a terrific tackle to thwart Diogo Jota in the box. And then he mopped up after Ethan Horvath had pulled off a terrific save to deny Roberto Firmino when he went clean through.
It meant the teams were all-square at the break, with nothing to separate them. And plenty of things for head coach Steve Cooper to be pleased with.
Horvath had to make a couple of big saves early in the second half. But it was the Reds who had the best chance to take the lead.
A quick break saw Brennan Johnson deliver a delicious cross, but Philip Zinckernagel fired wide. It proved costly as Liverpool immediately went down the other end and scored, with Jota finishing from close range - a goal that was given after a VAR check for a potential offside.
Forest argued they should have had a penalty in the closing minutes when Yates went down from a challenge with Alisson. But the appeals were waved away, while Yates had a header saved soon after.
Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground.
Ethan Horvath: Chants of ‘USA! USA!’ rang out when he somehow managed to thwart Roberto Firmino with an incredible save in the first half. Made some good stops. Rating: 9/10
Djed Spence: Didn’t get too many opportunities to stretch his legs, but looked dangerous when he did. He’s really loved testing himself against the big guns in these FA Cup contests. Rating: 8.5/10
Tobias Figueiredo: Helped limit the visitors to very little. Did a terrific job in what was a brilliant all-round team performance. Rating: 8.5/10
Joe Worrall: A colossus at the back when confronted with a quality Liverpool attack. Outstanding tackle to stop Diogo Jota in the first half. Immense. Rating: 9/10
Jack Colback: Never stopped all evening, sticking to his task throughout. Not easy to do against opposition of this calibre. Must have been exhausted when he came off. Rating: 8.5/10
Ryan Yates: What a warrior. Played with real heart and commitment. Tireless work-rate and some lovely passes, too. Will feel he should have had a penalty. Rating: 9/10
James Garner: Showed real quality in the centre of the pitch. Protected the back line well by getting stuck in to plenty of challenges. Rating: 9/10
Brennan Johnson: Created some of Forest’s best chances in the second half, with some lovely crosses. Just a shame the hosts didn’t manage to make them count. Rating: 8.5/10
Philip Zinckernagel: A case of what might have been. Will no doubt be reliving that chance in his mind. Taking the lead would have been no less than Forest deserved either. Rating: 8/10
Joe Lolley: More than repaid the manager’s faith for including him in the starting XI. A really positive performance, and he put in a great effort to cover for Djed Spence whenever he broke forward. Ran himself into the ground. Rating: 8/10
Keinan Davis: Kept the Liverpool back line firmly on their toes. Held his own in very good company. Like the rest of his teammates, a performance to be proud of. Rating: 8/10
Subs
Cafu (for Lolley, 65mins): Had a chance right at the end to equalise. Another excellent display from off the bench. Rating: 8/10
Alex Mighten (for Zinckernagel, 79mins): Fresh legs added some pace as Forest pushed in the closing minutes. Rating: 8/10
Sam Surridge (for Davis, 79mins): A lively appearance. Kept fighting right until the end. Rating: 8/10
Xande Silva (for Colback, 90+1mins): Not too much time to make an impact, but looked bright. Rating: 7/10
Subs not used: Samba, Mbe Soh, Bong, Laryea, Ojeda.
