Forest stun FA Cup holders Leicester, Liverpool see off Cardiff

Liverpool’s Portuguese striker Diogo Jota (L), Liverpool’s Colombian midfielder Luis Diaz (C) and Liverpool’s English midfielder Jordan Henderson (R) celebrate after Liverpool score their second goal during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Liverpool and Cardiff City at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on February 6, 2022. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Nottingham Forest knocked holders Leicester out of the FA Cup as the Championship side powered to a shock 4-1 win, while Liverpool eased into the fifth round with a 3-1 victory against Cardiff on Sunday.

Leicester’s disappointing season hit a new low with the dismal fourth-round loss against their Midlands rivals at the City Ground.

Last season’s Wembley triumph against Chelsea was Leicester’s first-ever FA Cup final victory, but that seemed a distant memory as their trophy defence ended with a whimper.

Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp (C) looks on as Liverpool’s Colombian midfielder Luis Diaz is treated for an injury during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Liverpool and Cardiff City at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on February 6, 2022. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Bottom of the second tier when Steve Cooper took charge in September, Forest have been revitalised by the former Swansea boss and they destroyed Leicester with three goals in nine first-half minutes.

Forest will face fellow Championship side Huddersfield in only their second appearance in the FA Cup fifth round in 17 years.

Having climbed to eighth place in the Championship, Forest is also chasing a return to the Premier League for the first time since 1999.

It is still some way from the glory days of Brian Clough, who led Forest to the English title in