This could be an awakening for the living. Instead, much to the relief of Jurgen Klopp and encouragement for the future, Liverpool began their long farewell to their beloved manager with a resounding win over Norwich City to stay on course for a fourth-place finish. A crown of hope as a parting gift.
Liverpool showed no sign of losing focus or interest in their first game since the shocking news that Klopp’s transformative reign would come to an end at the end of the season. The Premier League leaders and Carabao Cup finalists ease into the FA Cup fifth round, where they will host either Watford or Southampton, comfortably beating Championship sides. Young talent came to the fore and the depth of Liverpool’s resources was evident in a thoroughly professional job. That was the reaction Klopp asked his players to make when he informed them of his decision before training on Friday. “It was a great afternoon in every sense of the word,” said a grateful Liverpool manager.
When Klopp first showed up for a warm-up meeting with his best friend, Norwich manager David Wagner, there was no emotion as he lined up behind Liverpool for kick-off at Anfield. Excited. As usual, he waved to his wife in the crowd and tapped the Liver Bird on his chest, and then the game began. However, Klopp’s instructions to Liverpool to absorb Friday’s bombshell before continuing their quest to win four trophies in the final four months of his reign were always extremely optimistic, as Klopp was quick to confirm. “I’m glad Jurgen is in red,” exclaimed seconds after kick-off. Nothing happens with the associated red. He has a cup game to win. Klopp recalled: “I said don’t sing my songs in games, but people don’t listen to my songs anymore. That’s good.”
Liverpool dominated the match against the Championship side from the start, spending 14 minutes building an attack in the opposition half. That almost led to a goal from Darwin Nunez on the counter-attack for Liverpool.
Liverpool’s health situation on and off the pitch influenced Klopp’s decision to resign. If Liverpool don’t “get back on track” and challenge City’s dominance again, it will be even harder for the 56-year-old to leave. In that respect, Liverpool’s two first-half goals will bring him greater satisfaction than usual. Both are products of young talent honed through the club’s thriving youth academy.
James McConnell made his first start in midfield and set up homegrown Curtis Jones to mark the occasion. The 19-year-old curled a fine cross past the Norwich backline and found his midfield teammate. Jones looked set for an attack when his deft header past goalkeeper George Long while unmarked at the back post. One arrived on time, but only after an unexpected interruption in Norwich.
Wagner’s side briefly rewarded their impressive away support when Gabriel Sala equalized from a corner. Ben Gibson beat Ryan Gravenberch at the near post and headed past Alisson. It was Norwich’s only attempt to score against Liverpool in the first half and any thoughts of an upset were quickly dashed.
Klopp’s side regained the lead thanks to a fine performance from Conor Bradley, who impressed at right-back in the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Northern Ireland international burst down the right flank, easily beat a Norwich defender and completed his run with a perfect pass to release Nunez into the box. The Liverpool center forward fired the ball into Long’s bottom corner.
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Cody Gakpo and Graven Burch failed to capitalize on great chances to extend Liverpool’s lead before the break, with Diogo Jota showing what they were lacking within minutes of the restart. Cool shooting ability. Gibson made a mistake while trying to clear Jones’ long ball, and Jota latched on to Gibson’s header and fired an unstoppable half-volley past the Norwich goalkeeper from 18 yards.
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Liverpool’s positive performance on Test day goes beyond the scoreline. Andy Robertson, who missed three months with a dislocated shoulder, had a thrilling reception in the 55th minute. The Scotland captain arrived amid three substitutions, including Virgil van Dijk, and he soon doubled Liverpool’s advantage with a header from Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner. The midfielder returns from a recent hamstring injury and has since been joined by Alexander-Arnold, who himself is recovering from knee ligament problems.
Norwich substitute Borja Sainz collected a header from Jarell Quansah and beat Alisson with a powerful 25-yard shot. But Graven Burch provided Bradley with his second assist of the game in stoppage time, heading home the goal to give the scoreline a more accurate reflection of the proceedings.
“It’s great to see him in the draw because it would normally be in the summer,” Klopp’s Norwich coach said. “He was still the same. He wanted to win, and I wanted to win, and I lost. As usual.”
