FA Cup 2021-22: Liverpool vs Norwich City Match Preview
Having lifted the EFL Cup on the weekend, Liverpool will now focus on the FA Cup competition, as they face Norwich City at Anfield.
In an anticipated final in the EFL Cup Liverpool defeated Chelsea, where the match was decided on penalties. And now Liverpool’s happy camp will look to push their bid to achieve another great feat in the FA Cup this term.
Klopp’s camp now faces the Canaries at Anfield for the FA Cup Round 5 tie at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Liverpool vs Norwich City: Preview
Norwich City are one of the teams Liverpool have faced the most this season in different English competitions. And not so surprisingly, Liverpool have thrashed the Canaries on each occasion.
Having defeated Norwich City a few days back at home, Klopp’s men will be expecting to achieve a similar feat again and progress to the next round of the competition.
But the tie could turn out to be tricky for the home side slightly. Not to forget, Liverpool played tirelessly against the European Champions Chelsea in a 120 minutes game, where ultimately after 21 penalties Liverpool became champions.
But great teams do play lots of games and win games. Therefore, Klopp’s men will surely do fine with it. Moreover, Klopp will surely be looking into the FA Cup now. The German has been disappointed in the competition so far in his Liverpool tenure.
Meanwhile, previously, comfortable Anfield victories over Shrewsbury Town and Cardiff City saw the Reds advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup. It is just the second time in seven seasons the Reds have progressed to this stage of the competition since last reaching the 2014-15 semi-finals.
The oldest football competition in the world, the FA Cup is something Klopp would be eying.
Meanwhile, Dean Smith’s side’s last win across all competitions came in the fourth round of the FA Cup against Wolves in the first week of February. And since then, they lost thrice, drawn one in four Premier League games played, and conceded 10 goals in the process.
And now Norwich faces a Reds side enjoying a 10-game winning streak in all competitions and without defeat at Anfield for nearly a year. It’s a tough ask for Norwich to get a result at Liverpool’s fortress.
And Liverpool after the EFL Cup triumph are surely looking for an unprecedented quadruple, touch wood.
Team News
Thiago Alcantara hobbled off in the warm-up prior to Sunday’s Carabao Cup final and remains a major doubt for the Norwich City tie. Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino will surely be out of action again for his muscular problem.
Liverpool’s EFL Cup hero Kelleher should be back in between the sticks.
Moreover, Klopp is sure to shuffle the pack, as Kostas Tsimikas, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, and Divock Origi should be back in the starting eleven.
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Jones, Milner, Elliott; Jota, Origi, Minamino
Liverpool vs Norwich City: What Anfield Home Predicts
No disrespect to Norwich City, but the Canaries should prioritize top-flight survival rather than an unlikely shot at glory in the FA Cup.
Liverpool’s red hot form and unbeaten record at home for almost a year should be enough to tell Klopp’s team are favorites for the tie. And the Reds are in no mood to put their foot out of the gas.
Liverpool looks very likely to prevail over Norwich City with a 3-1 win.