PLAYER RATINGS: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0-1 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool sealed a semi final berth in the FA Cup with a hard fought 1-0 victory over a plucky Forest side. A fiercely contested Cup tie was decided by a late Diogo Jota strike to set up a mouthwatering showdown at Wembley against Manchester City. Read on for player ratings from the match.

Alisson – 7

Wasn’t troubled much. He watched Zinkernagel’s effort go wide and held on well to a tame header in injury time. He rushed out late on and saw the Forest player go down over his outstretched arm. Luckily, VAR saw it for the dive it was. Another clean sheet.

Gomez – 8

I thought he was brilliant. For a centre back to be playing out of position at right full back, I thought he played excellently well. Kept his man quiet on the night and bombed on to cause problems down the right. He sent a left footed shot from range straight at the keeper early on and blazed one volley over after that. Showed he hasn’t lost any of his recovery pace with an excellent recovery to clear after the offside trap was broken second half.

Konaté – 7

He was up against the unit that is Davis and coped well enough. Stood his ground and wasn’t bullied. Matched Davis for pace and physicality. He missed a cross late on and was lucky to see the header sent straight at Alisson. His could have passed through the lines more often, but it’s a well earned clean sheet.

Van Dijk – 7.5

The big man was in cruise control first half, looking like the Rolls Royce he is as he sprayed diagonals all over the place. Second half he had to roll his sleeves up and get down and dirty as Forest threw everything at it. He held firm, winning several headers to repel their attacks. He strode into midfield and gave the ball away which led to the Zinkernagel chance. His leadership was required at the back tonight.

Tsimikas – 8

You wouldn’t know that Kostas had been out for a couple of weeks with illness. He was brilliant down that left flank, always available for a pass and always looking to get in behind and swing a cross in. A miscontrol in the box saw him fail to make the most of a chance but he made up for it with an excellent whipped ball for Jota to stab home. That was the second wicked cross he had provided with his weaker right foot. Defended well too.

Fabinho – 7.5

Sat infront of the defence and provided a passing option for his teammates. He wasn’t shy to receive the ball in awkward positions and then turn to get the side on the attack. His technique in that sense is underrated somewhat. Could easily pass the ball back whenever under pressure but chooses to turn out of a tight spot and get his team moving forward.

Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6

Played Firmino through for that big chance first half. Did some good stuff first half but let himself down with some poor crosses. Couple of times he took too long to make a decision on the ball and was dispossessed in promising areas. He can’t have any complaints about being taken off. He didn’t affect the game enough.

Keita – 6

Crucial block early on in his own box. Was tidy enough in midfield but was too easily knocked off the ball in the attacking third. Solid showing nonetheless in his new found defensively assured midfield role.

Elliott – 6

Started on the right wing and looked bright first half. He still seems more of a creator than a goalscorer, shown by his insistence on passing even when he’s in a good shooting position. Second half he wasn’t getting any joy down that side and was subbed.

Firmino – 6.5

It’s tricky to rate Bobby tonight. First half hour he was the best player on the pitch, with some fanciful flicks on show. One such flick put Jota through on goal. Then came his one on one with the goalkeeper where his chip got saved. From then his confidence seemed to dip with several loose touches and poor passes/decision making. One thing you always get from him is relentless work rate. He pressed like a demon tonight, even deep into injury time.

Jota – 6.5

Another who is tricky to rate. Thought he was awful throughout, absolutely awful. Bullied at times and with a poor touch. He popped up with the crucial winner though, as he always seems to do. Should have scored another deep into injury time but screwed it wide. That’s now two goals in his last two games. Something to build on.

Substitutes

Henderson – 6.5

Sent a poor cross in with his first touch. Covered well for his fullbacks by popping up in those areas to mop up. Always seemed to get a foot in when the ball was loose in midfield. Had that extra bite we needed in the middle of the pitch. Helped see the game out.

Thiago – 6.5

He brought calm to the midfield with his controlled and cultured style. That helped as it was a bit too hustle and bustle in midfield before then.

Minamino – 6

Didn’t get in the game much but I thought he pressed well. I remember thinking he and Bobby were probably two of the best pressers in the team and they were in tandem to great effect late on, stifling Forest’s attempts to play out from the back.

Diaz – 6

Went down too easily a few times when I thought he could have done better to get past his man. Wasn’t as influential as you’d hope but the Reds are still through.

Jürgen Klopp

The manager made seven changes to his side as he rotated his side after a busy schedule. He saw his side play well but fail to score. He reacted quickly second half and sent on an array of superstars to turn the screw and help get the job done. He’s loving the depth he has available at the minute. His side are through to the last four!