They faced a very stern test, but Liverpool would manage to book their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest this evening.
Entering the game as strong favourites, Jurgen Klopp made a number of changes to what would be considered his first choice XI. The home side performed very well, spurning a couple of good chances to take the lead.
Diogo Jota would score the decisive goal, with his close range finish awarded after a VAR check.
The 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 of touches from @DiogoJota18.@LFC #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/medNXfWdSI
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 20, 2022
A few moments later, there was a nervy moment for the Premier League side.
Ryan Yates ran in behind the Liverpool defence and having beaten Alisson Becker to the ball, it looked as though the Brazilian may have brought the Forest man down. However, the referee opted not to award the penalty, a decision that VAR did not overturn.
While it was probably the correct decision considering the minimal amount of contact, could the player have done more to ensure the spot kick was given?
Roy Keane feels honesty cost Nottingham Forest man
Speaking on ITV after the game, Roy Keane said that Yates could have won a penalty on this occasion if he was a bit more streetwise and forced the contact with Alisson in the Liverpool goal.
I think he is right (the referee). You look at Forest and it is an absolutely brilliant pass, absolutely fantastic.
The problem with Yates, and I know the kid a little bit, is he is too honest and not smart enough. He should really go into the goalkeeper a bit more.
I think he is thinking 'I want to score', and we can't criticise him for that, but has got to go into the goalkeeper. He has got to be smarter. You would probably see a more experienced player do that.
I think the referee has got it right. It's so frustrating, because he has been so honest and tried to stay on his feet when he should have been smarter.
But it's the right decision.
Yates did indeed attempt to win the penalty, although he only did so after he realised that he would not get the ball. By then, the referee did not really have a decision to make.
Liverpool will now face Manchester City in the semi-final, with their unlikely bid to win four trophies this season still on.
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