LIVERPOOL VS NORWICH CITY: PREVIEW

Liverpool host Norwich City tomorrow afternoon. The Reds only returned from Italy yesterday, having stayed overnight due to unfavourable weather conditions. It was an impressive 2-0 victory over Inter Milan and they’ll look to continue their rich vein of form against the Canaries. Here’s a preview of the game.

Liverpool could turn the screw on Manchester City as they play before the Citizens for the first time in a while. Jürgen Klopp’s side can cut the gap down to six points with victory over Norwich, before City take on Spurs tomorrow night.

Whilst the Reds battle it out at the top, Norwich on the other hand are involved in a fierce relegation battle. Dean Smith’s side lie 18th, 4 points adrift of safety and having played a game more than Newcastle in 17th.

It was an absolutely wretched start to the season for Norwich, losing 8 of their opening 10 league games. They did manage victory in their 11th outing, a 2-1 away win at Brentford but it wasn’t enough to save Daniel Farke from getting the sack.

Dean Smith took over in November and has overseen a slight uptick in form. In his 13 league games in charge, the former Aston Villa boss has led the side to three wins and three draws. They have been in good nick recently too.

They had won four and drawn one of their last six games in all competitions before a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City last weekend. It feels a bit too little too late though, especially with relegation rivals Newcastle, strengthening well in the January transfer window.

The Canaries have lost an astounding 15 league games this season (only Watford have lost more – 16), and their tally of goals scored (14), goals conceded (50) and goal difference (-36) represents the worst in the entire division.

Dean Smith will make sure Norwich don’t go down without a fight however. Liverpool have already played Norwich twice this season (both at Carrow Road). An opening day 3-0 victory was followed up with another 3-0 victory in the Carabao Cup back in September.

The Norfolk outfit will be sick of the sight of Klopp’s men as they return to Anfield again in less than two week’s time for the FA Cup. That’s four times they have to play the Merseysiders in one season. At least they don’t have to face Luis Suarez!

Liverpool are on an impressive run of seven consecutive wins in all competitions, conceding just twice in that time. They are in peak form and condition at the minute and will be confident of getting all three points tomorrow.

Their preparation for the game is less than ideal having landed in the UK just 48 hours before the game. With such a quick turnaround from the victory at the San Siro, Klopp could ring the changes to keep his side fresh.

Relegation threatened sides are tricky at this stage of the season, as the Reds found out at Burnley last week. Victory won’t be handed on a silver platter, it will have to be earned. That means Liverpool have to approach the game with the right hunger and mentality.

Jürgen Klopp has won every single one of his five meetings with Norwich City, with the crazy 5-4 win in 2016 a memorable highlight. He will be keen to make it six from six to crank up the pressure on Manchester City before they face Antonio Conte’s Spurs.

Team News

For Liverpool, Diogo Jota is ruled out after sustaining an ankle injury on Wednesday. He will undergo further scans to ascertain the severity of the injury, with the club refusing to rule him out of the Carabao Cup final as it stands. The rest of the squad are fit and available.

For Norwich, Andrew Omobamidele (back), Jacob Sorensen (knee), Lukas Rupp (hamstring), Tim Krul (shoulder) and Adam Idah (meniscus) are all ruled out, with the Irish attacker out for the rest of the season.

Key Players

Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian returned to the scoresheet in Milan and will be looking to add to his league tally as he closes in on yet another Golden Boot. He’s scored 16 goals and provided 9 assists in the Premier League so far this season.

Teemu Pukki

The Finnish international has directly contributed to 50% of Norwich’s league goals this season (7 – 6 goals, 1 assist). He will lead the line for the Canaries and look to get in behind whenever he can. He got on the scoresheet the last time Norwich visited Anfield.

Luis Diaz

The January signing has been slowly assimilated into the side. He has made three appearances so far (with two coming off the bench) and impressed every single time. He’s in line to start tomorrow and he will be desperate to get off the mark for his new side.