Liverpool
Mané 64, Salah 67, Díaz 81^3RATINGS
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson 8 — J Gomez 6, J Matip 7,
V van Dijk 8, K Tsimikas 7 — A Oxlade-Chamberlain 6
(T Alcântara 63min, 7), J Henderson 8, N Keïta 6
(D Origi 63, 7) — M Salah 8, S Mané 7, L Díaz 7
(T Minamino 89).
Norwich City (4-3-3): A Gunn 6 — M Aarons 6,
G Hanley 7, B Gibson 6, B Williams 7 — B Gilmour 6,
M Normann 7 (P Lees-Melou 82), K McLean 6 —
J Sargent 6 ( P Placheta 76) , T Pukki 6, M Rashica 7
(J Rowe 86). Booked Williams.
Referee M Dean.Norwich City
Rashica 48^1PAUL JOYCEWhen Mohamed Salah is conjuring
moments of jaw-dropping brilliance,
Thiago Alcântara quickens the pulse
and Virgil van Dijk eases opponents
off the ball, it should not be forgotten
that the man gelling it all together
surveys the scene from the sideline.
Unbeknown to Jürgen Klopp as he
finished his media duties on Saturday,
a good week was about to get better,
courtesy of Tottenham Hotspur’s
victory over Manchester City.
Yet even before that unexpected
twist breathed fresh life into the
Premier League title race, there was
an unmistakable sparkle in the eyes
of the Liverpool manager, underlining
that he remains the true driving force
behind this team.
It is a year since Liverpool lost to
Everton, Anfield breached for what
would be the fourth occasion in six
successive home matches, and the
contrast between then and now could
hardly feel more stark.
As well as being beset by injuries to
key players, the slog of touring empty,
sterile grounds due to Covid-19 was
beginning to take its toll on Klopp,
who appeared deflated and jaded.
There is an understanding that the
form of players can fluctuate, but the
expectation thrust upon managers
remains, with no slack ever cut. That
harsh reality was brought to mind by
the recent comments from James
Milner, who detected that Klopp had
been “ground down” by the events of
last term but now recognises a change
that is every bit as crucial as Salah’s
thirst for goals or Van Dijk’s return.
“Maybe he was slightly low on
energy at the end of last year, like
probably everybody was with
everything going on in the world and
trying to deal with everything around
it, worrying about friends and family
while still being Liverpool manager
as well,” Milner, the 36-year-old
midfielder, said. “But for sure, this
year he has been incredible, trying
to drive us on and keep pushing us
on. We’re in a good position,
everyone is working hard
and that starts with
the manager.
“I don’t think there is anyone
better to keep pushing us forward
and to keep this club successful.”
Certainly, Klopp has been
reinvigorated by having a fit
playing squad and full stadiums
again providing the emotion that
he feeds off. That much is evident in
his decision-making. He admittedthat 12 months ago he was too slow
in recognising the solutions to
Liverpool’s problems as the defence
of their title faltered and ambitions
had to be downscaled. Chiefly, he
accepted that his reluctance to play
Nat Phillips at centre back, and his
midfielders in their rightful positions,
had compounded a multitude
of headaches.
On Saturday, just as against
Inter Milan last week, Klopp’s
decisiveness with his substitutes
turned a match in which he had
already made seven changes firmly
in his favour.
With Norwich City leading through
Milot Rashica’s deflected effort,
Liverpool sent on Alcântara and
Divock Origi in the 63rd minute,
switching to 4-4-2, and within 60
seconds had equalised through Sadio
Mané. Four minutes later Salah’s
150th goal for the club eked out
the lead and, later, Luis Díaz’s first
strike since his move from Porto
demonstrated how his adaptation is
proving seamless.
Liverpool have now scored 100
goals this season — the same amount
as City — and such potency could yet
be crucial given that Pep Guardiola’s
side’s six-point lead at the top of the
table will be halved should Liverpool
win at Anfield on Wednesday, against
Leeds United.
The trip to the Etihad Stadium at
the start of April might already loom
large, were it not for Liverpool
confronting Chelsea in the Carabao
Cup final next weekend. That their
destiny across four competitions is
back in their hands is testament to
the club Klopp has built.
“We enjoy it,” Klopp said.
“The pure situation we see as an
opportunity. We have never had it
before, that we are in all four
competitions. That is incredible and
we enjoy it. Long may it continue
because that means that we can play
a lot of football games, which we love
the most. It is not easy for the boys.
“That is exactly why we changed
seven times [against Norwich],
because I expect the boys will listen
when I tell them that the next
game we play is absolutely the
most important game that we have
ever played.”
Dean Smith, the Norwich head
coach, was correct to accentuate the
positives from a performance which
troubled Liverpool until that late
burst of energy carried them clear.
He is also fortunate that he can
attach more significance to some
matches than others. The pigeon-
holing of this encounter as one that
will not shape Norwich’s hopes of
escaping relegation is all well and
good providing coming matches
against the likes of Southampton,
Leeds and Brentford are
negotiated successfully.
Liverpool, though,
cannot pick and choose.
Every assignment is
crucial, but a refreshed
Klopp is intent upon driving
the charge for silverware.... and revitalised
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