A FEW OBSERVATIONS FROM THE GAME TONIGHT NORWICH CITY 0-3 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool travelled to Carrow Road for the second time this season to take on Norwich City, this time in the third round of the Carabao Cup. A much changed lineup saw Conor Bradley and Kaide Gordon make their debuts for the club. Liverpool took an early lead when Minamino swept home Origi’s knock down from a corner.

Norwich had a chance to equalise on the stroke of halftime but saw Kelleher make a penalty save off Tzolis, and it stayed 1-0 at halftime. Second half, the Reds took the game from their opponents with further goals from Origi and a second for Minamino. Read on for player ratings from the game.

Kelleher – 9.5

Made comfortable saves from the shots they got on target in open play. Made a penalty stop too on the stroke of halftime to keep his side in the lead. What was most impressive though, was his sweeping ability and footwork. He came off his line and out of his box to clear danger on multiple occasions. Deserves the clean sheet for an assured performance in goal.

Bradley – 7

The 18 year old gave away the penalty when in haste to prevent his man having a free shot at goal, he barged into him and sent him tumbling. He made one or two other errors but overall he will be proud of his performance. Battled down the right wing all game, and it was his tackle that led to the third goal.

Konate – 8.5

Strolled through the game like it was the easiest thing in the world. Very comfortable in possession, and he passed the ball through midfield a lot of times. Looked after Bradley on his right and was always on the cover for him. Attacked a few set pieces well but couldn’t get the connection to trouble the keeper. Looks at home in a Liverpool shirt. Second clean sheet for him.

Gomez – 8.5

Captain of the day and he crowned the occasion with a goal saving block off the rebound when the penalty got saved. He was solid throughout, and his combination of pace and power saw him cope easily with Idah. Played some raking passes too. Tired a bit late on, understandable as he’s missed a lot of football. One or two tiny errors but a welcome clean sheet and more minutes in his legs.

Tsimikas – 8.5

The Greek continues to impress. Starved of playing time almost all of last season, he’s determined to make amends this time round and he’s going about it the right way. His corner led to the first goal but the crowning moment was an astonishing pick out for Origi to head home. In a box full of Norwich defenders, he managed to put it on a plate for Divock. Fantastic delivery.

Keita – 6.5

Steady performance from Naby. Slotted in the anchor role and rotated with his midfield colleagues often. Kept things neat and tidy as he offered a base to build attacks. Comfortable in possession and in tight areas. Had a few pops at goal with one volley blocked and a follow up well wide.

Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5.5

Still not looking at his sharpest. Too many loose touches, too many times running straight into the opposition, and not enough thrust. Does get the assist for Minamino’s second, but he needs to do way more if he’s to break into the team or even be trusted as a reliable backup.

Jones – 7.5

Decent, showed some lovely touches. Played as the deepest midfielder but rotated with Ox and Naby. Was unlucky to see a left footed curler go just over. Offered maturity in midfield, worked hard off the ball and was sensible on it. Can hog possession a bit at times. 50 games now for the first team. More to come.

Gordon – 7

The 16 year old was unlucky when his shot went just past the near post after standing his man up and cutting in. He ran on to an Origi cross later but fired over first time from close range. He was surprisingly dangerous when he dropped into the middle. One ball from that position cut the entire Norwich defence apart as he sent Origi scampering through. Ran himself into the ground but will be extremely happy with tonight.

Origi – 7.5

The Belgian showed against Milan that there may be life in him yet. He took his goal clinically, a well timed leap and a perfectly directed header. Curled one just wide when Gordon put him through. Returned the favour with good wing play when he pushed the ball past his man and whipped in a cross for Gordon to attack. He’s prolific in this competition for the Reds.

Minamino – 8

Two composed finishes for Takumi tonight. The first after he reacted quickest to Origi’s knock down to sweep home, and the second when he slalomed past two challenges and squeezed the ball past the goalkeeper. A brace will do his confidence the world of good. Pressed and worked hard all game even if he was not involved much.

Substitutes

Morton – 8

On for Keita at halftime, the 18 year old impressed in the holding role. Not afraid to get stuck in, he threw in two crunching tackles and played man and ball both times. He was very confident on the ball too, not shy to turn under pressure and play. Very eye catching cameo. Hopefully we see more of him in the next round.

Robertson – N/A

Came on in the last 20 minutes for Kostas to a huge cheer from the away support. Shielded one ball out for a goal kick with Gilmour trying to get on it. Cleared a corner as the first man. Played us into trouble with one terrible cross field pass. Then took an atrocious corner that didn’t beat the first man.

Henderson – N/A

On for Jones in the 85th minute, the skipper slotted in on the right of Morton. He played the pass of the night when his long diagonal found Origi on the edge of the box.

Jurgen Klopp

Made nine changes from the side that saw off Palace at the weekend, handing debuts to two youngsters in Bradley and Gordon. Again his selection was justified by a good performance and an even better result. Brought Robbo and Hendo on even with the game safe, shows he might be taking this Cup a bit more seriously than usual.