Liverpool will face-off against Man City in the semi-final
Liverpool progressed to the semi-final of the FA Cup after securing victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, but the home side were on the wrong send of two crucial VAR decisions.
The Reds struggled to break down Forest for large parts of the match, but eventually took the lead in the 78th minute courtesy of Diogo Jota’s strike.
The Portuguese international did well to poke home Konstantinos Tsimikas’ inviting cross to put the away side in front but looked to have strayed marginally offside from initial replays of the goal. A VAR check showed, however, that the Portuguese forward had been onside and the goal stood.
B R E A K T H R O U G H
Just moments after Nottingham Forest let a huge chance go begging, Liverpool's Diogo Jota pops up with a goal at the other end 🔴#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFaCup |#NOTLIV pic.twitter.com/mGmBAZrbkQ
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 20, 2022
Going behind will have been hard to take for the Championship side, having missed a golden chance to take the lead themselves through Philip Zinckernagel minutes before Jota’s opener.
He’s not sleeping tonight pic.twitter.com/RAUiGJK51F
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) March 20, 2022
Despite the setback, Forest continued to take the game to their visitors. A matter of minutes later, Ryan Yates latched onto a through ball and broke past the Reds defenders. As the midfielder went to round goalkeeper Alisson, it looked as though the he might have been tripped – with the home supporters desperate for a penalty.
Referee Craig Pawson saw nothing wrong and signalled for a goal kick, with VAR once again called into action. Though the Brazilian made contact with Yates’ foot, it was decided there was not enough contact for the original decision to be reversed.
WOW! Another huge VAR call
Have Alisson and Liverpool got away with one here? 💭#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACup | #NOTLIV pic.twitter.com/c8Vrho8ziS
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 20, 2022
Jurgen Klopp’s side will now face-off against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the semi-final of the FA Cup.
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