Liverpool vs Norwich City
Premier League 2019/20 season
Venue: Anfield
Date: Friday, 8 August
Kick-off time: 8pm BST
The new Premier League season kicks off on Friday night as Liverpool welcome newly-promoted Norwich City to Anfield.
Liverpool missed out on the title by one solitary point last season as Manchester City took the crown, but Jurgen Klopp's side recovered from that near miss to lift the Champions League trophy in Madrid.
But despite a sixth European Cup triumph, the title race still stings on Merseyside - and Liverpool will be looking for a strong start to ensure they are celebrating their first league success since 1989 come May 2020.
As for Norwich, the Championship winners will be confident of the primary target of survival after a superb 2018-19 campaign - but Daniel Farke's Canaries will want to make an immediate impact at Anfield under the Friday night lights.
Liverpool vs Norwich team news and predicted lineups
Former West Ham goalkeeper Adrian will be available for Liverpool having joined on a free transfer, filling the space vacated after Simon Mignolet was sold to Club Brugge.
Alisson Becker was in unconvincing form in the Community Shield, but there is little prospect of the Brazilian being dropped.
Joe Gomez also struggled at centre-back vs City, and Joel Matip's goalscoring appearance off the bench could well see him restored at the back.
Sadio Mane returned from holiday on August 5 and may have to settle for a place on the bench.
James Milner is likely to recover from a slight muscle complaint, but Nathaniel Clyne is out with an ACL injury.
As for Norwich, Christoph Zimmerman is out with a knee injury, as are Louis Thompson (thigh) and Alexander Tettey (calf).
However, Timm Klose could return from a hip problem.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Henderson, Salah, Firmino, Origi
Norwich XI: Krul, Aarons, Godfrey, Hanley, Lewis, Cantwell, Buendia, Stiepermann, Trybull, Pukki, McLean
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Norwich
Liverpool's pre-season results and performances were nothing to write home about, but Klopp has been welcoming back key players at different times due to international commitments.
The Reds' second-half showing against Manchester City in the FA Community Shield bodes well - even though they went on to lose the penalty shootout - and though Klopp's defence and attack are still not yet at 100 per cent, the Champions League winners should get off to a winning start in front of a home crowd.
Tickets
General sale tickets are currently sold out, but hospitality packages are still available. For more information, click here to head to Liverpool's website.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Liverpool to win: 1/7
- Norwich to win: 19/1
- Draw: 8/1
First goal scorer
- Sadio Mane: 21/10
- Mo Salah: 5/2
- Roberto Firmino: 3/1
- Teemu Pukki: 12/1
TV channel and live stream information
The match will be televised live on Sky One, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra HD, and is available via NOW TV with a 10-month season ticket on offer for £199. Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via SkyGo and the SkyGo app.
You can follow all the action and analysis on Standard Sport's LIVE blog with David Lynch at Anfield.
