Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool player ratings: Zinckernagel 5, Cafu 6; Jota 7, Elliott 5

Jota’s 78th-minute goal secured a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest to book an FA Cup semi-final date with City on April 16

NOTTINGHAM FOREST RATINGS: Ethan Horvath – 6. The American made a fine save from Firmino when the striker looked certain to score. He might have been sharper off his line for the goal. AFP

Djed Spence – 6. The 21-year-old gave a good account of himself but tired as the match went on. He was not allowed to get forward as much as he would have liked. PA

Tobias Figueiredo – 7. The Portuguese produced a strong performance and limited the attack to a minimum of chances. He used the ball well, too. AP Photo

Joe Worrall – 8. The 25-year-old was excellent and his penalty-area challenge on Jota was a masterpiece of tackling. He also cleared up after Horvath blocked Firmino’s chip. PA

Jack Colback – 5. The 32-year-old worked hard but his mistake let Firmino in for his first-half chance. He also lost Jota for the goal, before being replaced by Silva in stoppage time. AP Photo

Ryan Yates – 5. The 24-year-old tried to hoodwink the referee by dragging his foot over Alisson’s arm but the official was wise to it and waved away the penalty appeal. Shortly after, he missed a glorious chance by heading straight at the goalkeeper. PA

James Garner – 6. The 21-year-old screened the defence and pressed Liverpool hard. He was quick in the tackle but not especially creative. PA

Brennan Johnson – 7. The 21-year-old was threatening. He sent a number of dangerous passes and crosses into the box. His centre to Zinckernagel should have allowed Forest to take the lead. AP Photo

Philip Zinckernagel – 5. The Dane squandered his team’s best chance of the game when the scores were still level. The miss will haunt him. PA

Joe Lolley – 6. The 29-year-old put in great effort and covered for Spence when the full-back went forward. He was lucky to escape after a sloppy pass in his own area. He made way for Cafu in the 65th minute. PA

Keinan Davis – 6. The 24-year-old was busy and kept the defence occupied without causing Alisson too many problems. He was withdrawn for Surridge with 13 minutes to go. PA

SUB: Cafu – 6. The Portuguese replaced Lolley in the 65th minute. He chested the ball down brilliantly in the area but then lost composure and blasted over the bar. AFP

SUB: Sam Surridge – 6. The 23-year-old came on for Davis with 13 minutes to go. He tried to take the game to Liverpool with limited success. PA

SUB: Alex Mighten – 7. The 19-year-old joined the action with 12 minutes left at Zinckernagel’s expense. His pace and direct running caused the defenders some nervous moments. AFP

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian came under less pressure than he might have expected. His kicking was uncertain but he was sharp off his line. AFP

Joe Gomez – 7. The 24-year-old worked hard to give the team the width it needed going forward but his distribution lacked precision. He had a couple of attempts at goal in an admirable display out of position. PA

Ibrahima Konate – 7. The Frenchman is an apprehensive starter but gets better as the game goes on. He kept a rein on Davis and produced a telling challenge on Mighten towards the end. AP Photo

Virgil van Dijk - 7. The Dutchman put himself about more than usual, mixing ruggedness with style in a composed performance. He was calm during Forest’s best spells. PA

Kostas Tsimikas – 6. The Greek could not seem to generate much momentum going forward and his crossing was scattergun. Until, that is, he picked out Jota for the winner. AP Photo

Fabinho – 6. The Brazilian did plenty of work in the trenches in a starting midfield trio that never quite clicked. He was replaced by Thiago in the 64th minute. AFP

Naby Keita – 7. The Guinean pressed hard and battled for the ball. He used it well, too, but was withdrawn for Henderson in the 64th minute. AFP

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5. The 28-year-old set up Firmino’s chance and fired off shots that did not trouble the goalkeeper. He became less effective as the game went on and was replaced by Diaz in the 64th minute. PA

Harvey Elliott – 5. The 18-year began brightly but wilted in the face of the physical challenge. He made way for Minamino in the 64th minute. AFP

Roberto Firmino – 6. The Brazilian had moments of sheer class but also made bad decisions, particularly when one-on-one with Horvath. His pressing was good, his finishing less so. AP Photo

Diogo Jota – 7. The Portuguese dwelt on the ball in the area and allowed Worrall to tackle in the first half. His touch was off but, when the moment arrived, he scored the only goal with glee. AP Photo

SUB: Jordan Henderson - 5 . The 31-year-old came on for Keita in the 64th minute and shifted the ball well. His introduction coincided with Forest getting more room, which was a surprise. PA

SUB: Luis Diaz – 5. The Colombian replaced Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 64th minute but could not get up to the speed of the match. He had little impact on the left. AP Photo

SUB: Takumi Minamino – 6. The Japanese joined the action in the 64th minute at Elliott’s expense. He grafted away on the right, working up and down the line. AP Photo

SUB: Thiago Alcantara – 7. The 30-year-old entered the fray in the 64th minute for Fabinho. His eagerness to win back the ball and his passing when in possession improved the team. PA

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says his side were no-one’s “dream draw” as he faced up to the prospect of taking on title rivals Manchester City twice in seven days in a league and FA Cup double.

Diogo Jota’s 78th-minute goal secured a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest to book a Wembley date with City on April 16.

They face Pep Guardiola’s team at the Etihad Stadium the previous Sunday in a match which could be crucial in the race for Premier League.

With the quadruple still on for Liverpool, Klopp says they do not fear anyone but admits they cannot afford to fixate on City as there are other matches, particularly the Champions League quarter-finals, which are equally important.

“We have Watford, Benfica, City, Benfica, City, United, Everton [after the international break],” Klopp said.

“From a Liverpool perspective these are all massive games and we try to play them one at a time and not all together.

“We knew before the game City would be the opponent if we wanted to go to the final anyway. Now here we go.

“The further you go in whichever competition the more likely you are you will face City at one point.

“I don’t think we are the dream draw for anyone, but it will be a tough tie and we have to make sure it will be tough for City as well.

“But there are a lot of games to play before that.”

To see Tony Evans' player ratings from the match at the City Ground, check out the gallery above.