'Proper job' - Jurgen Klopp praises Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper ahead of FA Cup showdown

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has praised the work being done by Steve Cooper at Nottingham Forest, ahead of the teams meeting in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Cooper has overseen a remarkable rise up the Championship table since taking charge of the Reds in September. They moved to within one point of the play-off spots as a result of the midweek dismantling of QPR, when they triumphed 3-1 at the City Ground.

And Forest have also made it through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, having already seen off Arsenal, holders Leicester City and Huddersfield Town on their way to the last-eight. They host Klopp’s men on Sunday evening, with both sides battling to make it through to a semi-final at Wembley. It will be the first time the teams have faced each other since April 1999.

Cooper spent five years working at Liverpool’s academy earlier in his career. Meanwhile, for his opposite number, it will be Klopp’s first visit to the banks of the Trent.

“Before the international break we have an incredibly important game against Nottingham. It will be my first time there,” the German said in his pre-match press conference.

“I know Nottingham only from when I was a kid, as Robin Hood. There’s probably no time for sight-seeing, but I am still looking forward to it.

“We are Premier League team number three for Nottingham in the competition, so they haven’t had an easy way, but they made it. They had an important game against QPR on Wednesday. They are close enough to think about promotion again.

“Our former LFC coach is obviously doing a proper job there. It’s another reason why it’s a special game.”