Many key players returned to help Liverpool crush Championship team Norwich 5-2 in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
This was Liverpool's first match after manager Jurgen Klopp announced his departure from the club at the end of the season. Home fans filled Anfield, many carrying banners and signs in tribute to Klopp. Norwich manager David Wagner, a close friend of Klopp, gave the Liverpool manager a special hug before the match. Wagner was a groomsman at Klopp's wedding.
Striker Diogo Jota celebrates with his teammates after scoring for Liverpool. Photo: AFP
On the field, despite fielding a squad with many young and reserve players, Liverpool easily dominated. Klopp sent his best striker trio, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo, to the field from the start to help them find the feeling of scoring. After this match, Liverpool will face Chelsea and Arsenal in a row. Therefore, Klopp will need the best strikers in the context of Mohamed Salah's injury.
In the 10th minute, the Anfield crowd was left to gasp in dismay when Nunez’s classy turn and finish from the left edge of the box hit the post. No player has hit the woodwork more than the Uruguayan striker in the Premier League this season, and he has continued that bad luck in the FA Cup.
However, Liverpool only had to wait six more minutes to open the scoring. Young midfielder James McConnell delivered a precise cross to the far post, where Curtis Jones unexpectedly appeared to head home. Klopp clapped and laughed with his colleagues as he witnessed his players' relatively easy goal.
Liverpool fans brought a banner to pay tribute to Klopp to the match. Photo: AP
It took Norwich just six minutes to equalise. Centre-back Ben Gibson cut to the near post to meet Gabriel Sara's corner. The ball hit his back and curled into the top corner, leaving Alisson Becker no time to react. Wagner was hugged by his assistant to celebrate the goal, but appeared quite calm.
Liverpool took the lead for the second time before half-time. Conor Bradley won the ball on the wing and played a one-two with Jota, before setting up Nunez for his third goal in three games for the 24-year-old, who has struggled this season but has failed to live up to expectations.
Liverpool maintained their dominance in the second half, and the goals continued to come as a result. Taking advantage of Gibson's failure to clear Jones' long pass, Jota showed why he is considered one of Liverpool's best finishers. The Liverpool striker never lost his touch. He turned and shot with his weaker left foot in a difficult position, but George Long was still helpless.
Van Dijk celebrates after scoring Liverpool's fourth goal. Photo: Reuters
After scoring the third goal, Klopp made a series of substitutions. Liverpool welcomed back Andy Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai, who had been absent for a long time due to injury. Trent Alexander-Arnold also returned, signaling Liverpool had the strongest squad for the tough schedule ahead.
Two of the five players who came on brought the fourth goal for the home team. Szoboszlai took a corner kick, allowing Virgil van Dijk to head the ball past Long. Norwich showed commendable fighting spirit when Borja Sainz scored a superb goal to reduce the score to 2-4. The visitors also created many stirring situations, including a situation where the ball was put into the net but was not recognized.
In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Ryan Gravenberch headed home a cross from Bradley. The Dutch midfielder then pumped his fist in joy after scoring. Gravenberch had several chances to score in the match but missed them.
Liverpool finished the match with overwhelming statistics: 72% possession, 19 shots, seven of which were on target. This was the perfect warm-up for Klopp and his team before the match against Chelsea on January 31.
Quang Huy
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