Gomez sends reminder
Reports of Joe Gomez’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Having experienced a season of frustration at Liverpool, the defender was given only a seventh start of the season in this FA Cup clash with Nottingham Forest.
“A good opportunity,” said Jurgen Klopp before the game. And Gomez was clearly intent on making the most of it.
While most certainly a centre-back by trade, here he was asked to fill the gap left by the hamstrung Trent Alexander-Arnold.
PLAYER RATINGS: Virgil van Dijk and two others good vs Nottingham Forest
READ MORE: Liverpool's hectic April fixture schedule confirmed after win at Nottingham Forest
YOUR SHOUT: Rate Liverpool's players after the 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest
Gomez was game enough going forward, testing Forest goalkeeper Ethan Horvath in both halves and regularly offering himself as an overlap down the flank. The application matched the appetite.
The 24-year-old, though, is primarily a defender. And it was in helping quell dangerous Brennan Johnson – often when asked to go one-on-one with the Forest wide man – that he most impressed, even if there was one booking for one over-zealous challenge on his opponent.
While Klopp admitted lack of rhythm has been a problem for Gomez, there was little sign of rustiness here.
Gomez may have fallen down the pecking order – a victim of the strength in depth at centre-back – while giving himself the best chance of a place at the World Cup later this year will surely form part of his thinking this summer.
This, though, was a timely reminder he can play a part for Liverpool.
Elliott learns as clock ticks on Ox
It was a flashpoint assured to leave hearts in mouths on the Liverpool bench and beyond.
Early on in this physical tussle, Harvey Elliott was sent tumbling to the turf by a robust challenge from James Garner that perhaps warranted more than a mere ticking off from referee Craig Pawson.
There was relief, then, when the 18-year-old was able to return to his feet and play on unaffected.
Klopp detailed last week why he has tread carefully with the youngster, who was here making only his second start since returning in February after almost five months out with a serious ankle issue.
In the hustle and bustle of an away FA Cup quarter-final, Elliott, reverting to the right of the attack, showed flashes of promise but found it difficult to make a consistent contribution before his substitution shortly past the hour.
Of course, time is very much on Elliott’s side. This was more valuable experience under the belt, minutes in the bag. The same, though, can’t be said of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is approaching the final 12 months of his deal.
Like his younger team-mate, the midfielder shone only in patches and was increasingly peripheral when replaced. The frustration when his number was shown spoke volumes. This was a chance missed.
Van Dijk spooks Spence
Djed Spence finds himself in decent company.
Nottingham Forest were on the attack first half when the right-back found himself racing into space down the flank.
The home fans moved to the edge of their seats in anticipation. But standing in the way, as he was for so much of the game, was Virgil van Dijk.
Spence was spooked, instantly uncertain and allowing the Liverpool defender to jockey him away from goal and comfortably regain possession. Like Adama Traore and Lautaro Martinez before him, the Forest man was defeated by Van Dijk’s reputation, the Dutchman integral in a ninth clean sheet in 12 games.
So continues Liverpool’s remarkable record in FA Cup quarter-finals.
Since the shock defeat to Watford way back in 1970, the Reds have now played in 23 last eight ties in the competition and lost only one – at home to Tottenham Hotspur in 1995.
And even more surprisingly, this latest triumph was their first against Forest at the City Ground since October 1984. It was worth the wait.
