AnalysisFive talking points from Liverpool 5-2 Norwich City
Liverpool moved into the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup as they beat Norwich City on an emotional Sunday afternoon at Anfield.
On a day when fans paid tribute to Jürgen Klopp, who on Friday announced he will be stepping down as manager at the end of the season, the Reds had five different goalscorers in a 5-2 win over the Canaries.
Here are five things we noticed on a chilly afternoon in L4...
Anfield makes its feelings known
The football was pretty good, of course, but this was a game where the build-up was dominated by one man.
Klopp’s announcement earlier this week had, understandably, caused a huge reaction across the football world, and here Liverpool supporters had the first chance to show their love and appreciation for the manager they adore.
They did so, with the first strains of his own special version of I Feel Fine arriving inside a minute. At the final whistle, fans stayed behind to serenade their hero, who had masterminded yet another Anfield victory.
McConnell shines on full debut
Klopp’s commitment to, and trust of, youth has been one of the themes of his time on Merseyside, and it was certainly on display here.
Liverpool started with four Academy graduates in the team, and two of them combined in style for the game’s opening goal.
After three sub appearances, totalling 18 minutes, James McConnell was handed his full debut in midfield, and the 19-year-old marked his big day in style with a lovely flighted ball to the back post, where it was headed home by Jones.
A first senior assist for the Northumberland-born teenager, who has been with the Reds since the age of 14, and he impressed besides, too, using the ball neatly and snapping into tackles to win the Kop’s approval.
He looked as if he enjoyed himself, despite some late cramp, and why not?
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Bradley doubles up
Conor Bradley has good memories of playing against Norwich.
It was against the Canaries, in September 2021, that the Northern Irishman made his professional debut, and here he helped put them to the sword, finishing another fine display with two assists in his back pocket.
His first was superb, winning the ball, playing a one-two with Diogo Jota and feeding Darwin Nunez. His second showed his relentlessness, arriving in the box in stoppage time to set up Ryan Gravenberch.
At a time when Liverpool have asked him to, the 20-year-old has stepped up.
Bench strength says it all
Liverpool surely can’t have had too many stronger substitutes’ benches than they had on Sunday.
On it was the captain, Virgil van Dijk, the vice-captain, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and players of the calibre of Luis Diaz, Andy Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai, all of whom would emerge in the second half.
Harvey Elliott wasn’t even called upon, Alexis Mac Allister was absent from the squad, while the likes of Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago Alcantara and Kostas Tsimikas are all to return soon.
Plenty of strength for Klopp to call upon, ahead of what could be an epic few months.
Gravenberch gets his reward
The first word went to a Scouser, and the final word went to a Dutchman.
Gravenberch finished off the scoring here, heading home Bradley’s volleyed cross in front of the Kop.
Reward for the 21-year-old, who enjoyed a strong performance on the left of the Reds’ midfield three.
Gravenberch might have had a hat-trick, actually, but was denied in the first half by a goalline clearance and in the second by a stunning save from Norwich goalkeeper George Long.
Persistence paid off in the end, though. No wonder he was smiling.
This article has been automatically translated and, while all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some errors in translation are possible. Please refer to the original English-language version of the article for the official version.