Momentum-Building Victory at Norwich Comes at the Right Time for Liverpool
There is never a dull day for Liverpool supporters with Jurgen Klopp at the helm on Merseyside, and Saturday's 5-4 victory away to Norwich City reinforced this.
Heading to Carrow Road having secured passage to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 replay win over Exeter City, Klopp's side will have been quietly confident of sealing the three points—particularly given the Reds' recent history in East Anglia, with Luis Suarez hat-tricks still fresh in the memory.
Though it took a 94th-minute strike from Adam Lallana to do so, Liverpool's latest win will have boosted confidence within Klopp's squad as a positive reaction to their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United last Sunday.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
An emphatic comeback that buoyed and frustrated Klopp by equal measure, this victory can see Liverpool build momentum at a crucial stage in the season.
Setting up his side in a 4-3-3 formation, Klopp witnessed a quiet start to the afternoon as Liverpool allowed the game to play out ahead of them. But with former Everton midfielder Steven Naismith—making his first appearance since his £8.5 million move from Goodison Park—in a combative mood, the Reds were soon punished.
Naismith's presence in the No. 10 role gave Norwich a creative spark, and with the Scotland international combining well with new attacking colleague Dieumerci Mbokani, the game kicked into life.
Liverpool scored first, with Roberto Firmino latching onto an excellent reverse pass from James Milner to bundle an effort past Declan Rudd, before Mbokani levelled with a backheeled finish before the half-hour mark. Naismith put the Canaries ahead going into half-time, and both sides let loose after the interval.
Goals from Wes Hoolahan, Sebastien Bassong, Jordan Henderson, Milner and finally Lallana marked one of the most exciting games of the Premier League season.
Speaking after the game, Klopp could not mask his relief, but the former Borussia Dortmund manager was emphatic in outlining his side's weaknesses—on show once again.
Restoring a strong back four of Nathaniel Clyne, Kolo Toure, Mamadou Sakho and Alberto Moreno to his starting lineup—having rested the quartet for the midweek clash with Exeter—Klopp expected a more resolute display.
But with Toure and Sakho unable to establish a balance at centre-back and Moreno enduring an afternoon marred by poor decision-making, mistimed challenges and a bizarre penalty concession, Liverpool's defensive work was once again risible.
Each of Norwich's goals came as a result of dismal organisation in the defensive ranks, with an inability to defend corners and free-kicks undermining the Reds' attacking work.
Klopp acknowledged this during his post-match interview with BT Sport (h/t This is Anfield), admonishing his side's brittle nature:
"Four goals from set-plays, that must be a new record, I think you have to make a new list for British football. I think it is crazy what we are doing.
It’s easy to play against us, you only have to throw the ball over the line off a set play. If they don’t do it, we will do it [for you].
It’s rubbish what we are doing.
"
Having rewarded the troubled Simon Mignolet with a new long-term contract, and being unlikely to add another defender this January having already signed Steven Caulker on loan from Queens Park Rangers, Klopp's priority will be improving the Reds' organisation on the training field.
However, as with against Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Bordeaux already this season, Liverpool's leaky defence was countered by a sensational attacking display.
Led by the inspired Firmino, Liverpool were able to overwhelm a similarly poor Norwich defence.
Firmino has been preferred to Christian Benteke in the central attacking role for Liverpool in recent weeks, and the Brazilian has improved markedly as a result.
A natural No. 10, Firmino's movement, tenacity, tactical intelligence and predatory instinct bear shades of the sensational Suarez. And adding to his tally with two goals against Norwich, the former Hoffenheim star is now established as Klopp's most effective centre-forward.
In seven appearances as a striker this season, Firmino has scored five goals and registered four assists, belying widespread criticisms of his output in the first months of his Anfield career.
This was far from a performance of isolated brilliance, of course, as the support provided by the likes of Henderson and Milner allowed Liverpool to flood the Norwich penalty area. Both Henderson and Milner showed a clinical sheen in front of goal, relieving Firmino of the burden restricting Liverpool's centre-forwards this season.
A feeling of relief pervaded the away end at Carrow Road as Lallana's late effort bounced past Rudd and into the back of the net, with the entire Liverpool squad—and Klopp—joining the celebrations on the sidelines.
Similar to when the German led his side over to the Kop after Divock Origi's stoppage-time equaliser at home to West Brom in December, this passionate reaction was another statement piece in Klopp's quest to restore a belief at Liverpool.
Heading into a decisive week, the momentum provided by this emphatic victory could prove pivotal, as Lucas Leiva told the club's official website after the game.
"It will give us a lot of belief," he said.
"On Tuesday we have a very big game, a semi-final and a chance to go to Wembley. We will do everything we can to get there."
Liverpool take on Stoke City in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final on Tuesday night, looking to secure a place in February's final, while Saturday brings an FA Cup fourth-round clash with West Ham United.
Though the Reds find themselves just eight points off the Premier League's top four at this stage, focussing on Cup glory should be a priority for Klopp this season, making the coming week a crucial one.
With belief restored after Saturday's 5-4 win at Carrow Road, Liverpool can now look to Tuesday night's semi-final with confidence, backed by considerable momentum.
Statistics via Transfermarkt.co.uk.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
