Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool farewell tour began with a comfortable 4-2 FA Cup victory over Norwich City at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
His side were dominant in the opening 10 minutes against a Norwich side who could barely get out of their own penalty area, with Darwin Núñez only to deny the opener with a header from a ferocious effort from distance.
It wasn’t long before their resistance was broken when Curtis Jones headed in at the back post, but within five minutes Ben Gibson rose from a corner at the other end to equalize against the run of play.
However, within the next five minutes, Liverpool were back in the lead when Núñez found a corner after the Canaries went cold and exposed at the back.
A goal-line clearance then denied Ryan Gravenberch a third before half-time, but it came shortly after half-time as Norwich’s earlier goalscoring hero turned villain when his mistimed header was pounced on by Diogo Jota to volley home.
Substitute Virgil van Dijk came on shortly after the hour mark to make it four with a high header from a corner before the Canaries pulled one back through a brilliant curling 25-yard ball from Borja Sainz shortly after entering the fray.
Liverpool had the final say when Gravenberch headed home Conor Bradley’s cross and they will face either Watford or Southampton in the next round after a late equalizer in that game forced a replay.
Liverpool Player Rating vs Norwich City
Alisson (5/10): Could not do much to prevent either Norwich goals but will be gutted to have been beaten from distance by Sainz.
Conor Bradley (8/10): A superb performance with two assists! Won the ball, went on the run and set up Nunez for the finish. Teed up Gakpo shortly after but shot went wide and then lashed across goal for Gravenberch to knock it in.
Ibrahima Konate (7/10): Solid at the back with good tackles and strong in the air as always.
Jarell Quansah (6/10): Another comfortable display overall but his poor header gifted the ball to Norwich for their second goal.
Joe Gomez (6/10): Offered support in attack and was alert and smart in the way he defended on the left side
James McConnell (7/10): A fantastic ball into the Norwich box to set up the opening goal.
Ryan Gravenberch (7/10): Should have defended the post better for Norwich’s equaliser and was a bit unlucky up field despite his efforts until he diverted in from close range right at the end.
Curtis Jones (8/10): Found plenty of space in a dangerous area and expertly headed in the first goal. Unbelievable pass to set up Jota.
Diogo Jota (8/10): Was lively throughout as he attempted to create a lot and was rewarded with a fine goal early in the second half.
Darwin Nunez (8/10): A big threat all the way through and unsurprisingly restored his team’s lead with a fine finish.
Cody Gakpo (6/10): Missed a great chance to make it 3-1. Had a lot of attempts but was unlucky in his finishing.
Subs
Virgil van Dijk (7/10): Found loads of space and read Szoboszlai’s corner perfectly before heading in.
Andy Robertson (6/10): Finally back on the field for the first time since October
Dominik Szoboszlai (7/10): Set up Nunez for a chance and then whipped in a deadly corner to Van Dijk.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10): Played the last 25 minutes after a brief spell on the sidelines and was a threat.
Luis Diaz (6/10): Brought on for just over 10 minutes but did not have much chance to influence the game.
Leave a comment