Norwich City 0-3 Liverpool
Before the season started, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said his side had not been left behind by some of their big spending Premier League rivals in the transfer window this summer; that he had purposely retained the bulk of a squad which was title favourites last season (and top of the table until mid-January when a series of defensive injuries caught up with them).
The German’s words made eminent sense as he has at his disposal a squad which romped to the 2020 title and, despite some pundits’ claims of frugality, was a club which actually outspent the likes of Manchester United last season.
So here is a squad with real depth already and, in the words of Klopp, ‘togetherness’ which can go far without the need for more big-money deals.
This opening weekend victory at Norwich City, back in the top flight after a one-season absence, was proof they should be genuine contenders once more.
Liverpool are up and running.
Highlights of the game
Goals midway through each half quashed the enthusiasm of the newly promoted East Anglian club but also showcased that strength as the Merseysiders ran out 3-0 winners in a contest they always looked in control of.
They led when Mo Salah touched on a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross and Diogo Jota rifled the ball past Tim Krul.
That advantage was doubled in the 65th minute when substitute Roberto Firmino was left unmarked and slid home a Salah cross.
Eight minutes later, a corner fell at the Egyptian’s feet and he took a touch before curling the ball home with his second – the fifth season in a row he has scored on the opening weekend.
The emergence of Firmino and his Brazilian compatriot Fabinho from the bench on the hour merely highlighted the belief of Klopp who also welcomed back influential defender Virgil van Dijk, making his first appearance since suffering knee ligament damage last October, and has the likes of captain Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and Andy Robertson to return.
Norwich, who showed last time in the top flight they can produce special moments, battled hard with Scotland international and Chelsea loanee Billy Gilmour handed his Premier League debut for the club.
Yet the expected gulf in class was evident as Liverpool created virtually all the Premier League highlights and would have won by more but for a goal line clearance in each half.
Even when Norwich briefly did break through late on, goalkeeper Alisson kept Ben Gibson out from notching a consolation
For Liverpool, the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds are attractive.
For Norwich – whose pre-season preparations were hampered by cancelled friendlies due to Covid– and Daniel Farke, who stayed on as the head coach despite failing to avoid the drop in 2019-20, less so.
They have sold their prize asset, Emiliano Buendía, to Aston Villa but at least the rest of their more vaunted players have stayed put and the Kosovo winger Milot Rashica is among a clutch of promising recruits.
They will need to offer more than they did in this teatime clash but, equally, will know they won’t come up against such talented opposition most weeks.
Key statistics
Salah (98) has moved outright second in the leading Premier League goalscorers from Africa. He is now six behind Didier Drogba’s record of 104.
He has become the first player to score on the opening day in five consecutive Premier League seasons.
Liverpool have scored 22 goals in their six season-opening league fixtures under Klopp, winning five of those games (drawn one).
Firmino’s goal was Liverpool’s 8,000th in the Football League/Premier League, becoming only the second side to hit that total, after Man Utd (8,089).
The Merseysiders are unbeaten in the past 15 Premier League meetings with Norwich (won 13, drawn two). They have also won on eight successive league visits to Carrow Road.
Norwich have won their opening Premier League fixture only once in 10 attempts. That victory came in 1992 (the inaugural Premier League season) when they beat Arsenal 4-2 at Highbury (drawn three, list six).
They have now lost 11 consecutive Premier League games. It’s the third-longest losing streak in the competition’s history alongside Aston Villa’s 11 defeats in 2011 and Sunderland’s 20 losses in a row between 2003 and 2005.
They have also lost six consecutive top-flight home games without scoring, equalling a record set by Sheffield Wednesday in 1920 and matched by Birmingham City in 1922.
What’s next?
It’s a tough start for Norwich City alright. Next up is a trip to champions Manchester City next Saturday (August 21).
Liverpool entertain Burnley at Anfield on the same day.
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