So that, me old MBM pals, is your lot. Paul MacInnes was the man brave enough to face down the elements at storm-battered Carrow Road this evening, and his report is in. You know what to do: click and enjoy. Thanks for reading this live blog. Nighty night.
And now Jurgen Klopp, who is in chatterbox mode tonight. “It was a difficult game for different reasons. The wind. Our opponent. The organisation of our opponent. The way we played in the first half. The distances between the lines were too big; we went too early with our long balls. The counter-press was not there. The good thing is, if you don’t play well in the first half, it’s easier to improve! Trent’s positioning was improved, it was higher, and immediately everything changed. We were much more compact. Then we brought Fabinho and Sadio. One brought more organisation, and Sadio ... [giggles] ... he was fresh and made the difference, which was nice, so we could win the game. I haven’t seen it back, but I am pretty sure it was a perfect finish. I’m 98 percent sure [Norwich’s first-half chance] was offside. But it was a great save. Alisson has helped us so often, which is good, but we pay him for that actually! The mentality of the boys was exceptional. It’s really all bout the character of these wonderful football players. [Our lead] is so insane, I really don’t understand it, I am not smart enough. It is difficult. I have no clue how it has happened. We are focused. We feel really good.”
He’s then asked about the Manchester City situation. “It was a shock. When it came out, wow. The only thing I can say is, I am a football coach, and what Man City did when I am in England is exceptional, absolutely exceptional. About all the rest, I have no idea. I can imagine it is really difficult for the sports people to understand. I really feel for Pep and the players. But it is the first verdict and they can appeal. The football they played was exceptional, and will be exceptional.”
Daniel Farke’s verdict on a bittersweet performance by his team. “It’s disappointing, because in many topics we were very, very good. It was a top-class performance, but a moment of magic by Mane was crucial. Of course it’s disappointing at the moment, but we can be proud of our performance. When we create chances we have to be effective. We were two against one on the goalkeeper. We should be tidier and not as nervous, it must be a goal if you want to beat Liverpool. We were playing the best in the world, and we’re a bit sad that we were unable to score with one of our counter-attacks. We were pretty close to coming away with a good result. The lads left their hearts out on the pitch. I can’t accuse them too much, the quality of Mane was the difference.”
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Incidentally, today’s winner is Mane’s 100th goal in English football. Exactly three quarters of them have been scored for Liverpool, the rest for his former club Southampton. Sky flash up a stat that illustrates the African Player of the Year’s versatility and talent: 59 with the right foot, 27 with his left, and 14 headers. Plus of course a hat-trick in two minutes and 56 seconds, a Premier League record, albeit one broken against a team managed by Tim Sherwood.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson speaks: “We’ve had a good break, and a week’s training as well. We knew it would be difficult coming here. They’re bottom of the league but they still cause teams problems. They play football. It was a good performance from us in the end and thankfully we got the three points. We’ve got to be delighted with the result. There are still things we have to improve on.”
Sky’s Geoff Shreeves then asks man-of-the-match Sadio Mane whether he considers the title a done deal. A grin and cheeky glint in the eye suggests yes, but he’s careful to trot out the “more games to play” party line, and Henderson interjects with “one step” just to make sure his team-mate doesn’t go off message Fabinho-style.
Liverpool are now 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
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Norwich remain rooted to the bottom, on 18 points, seven adrift of safety. But their performance this evening will give them heart during the relegation run-in. Today’s free hit nearly earned them a point; on another day, with a bit more luck, they might even have snaffled three, having hit the post six minutes before Sadio Mane’s excellent winner. But this Liverpool side are second-to-none at grinding out results when playing below their best. Five more wins, 15 more points, and they’ll be the champions of England for the first time since 1990.
FULL TIME: Norwich City 0-1 Liverpool
One win down, five more to go, and it’ll be Liverpool’s title. But the leaders were made to work so hard by the Premier League’s bottom team. They celebrate more in relief than anything else.
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90 min +2: Firmino tussles with Lewis down the right. He concedes a foul, then kicks the ball away. But the referee isn’t minded to flash a yellow for that one.
90 min +1: Space for Aarons down the right. His cutback finds Buendia, who clumps carelessly out for a goal kick. He had options there. Liverpool breathe again.
90 min: Mane is booked for throwing the ball away after conceding a throw. There will be three additional minutes.
89 min: Buendia slips Pukki into space down the inside right. He’s not going to be able to outpace Van Dijk, so takes a shot from distance. It’s heading into the bottom left, but is snaffled with care by a perfectly positioned Alisson.
87 min: Drmic worries Liverpool with a power run down the left. The ball’s eventually run out of play; goal kick. But the visitors look a little nervous again in the wake of Firmino’s miss.
86 min: A huge miss by Firmino! Alexander-Arnold whips a cross in from the right, teeing up the Brazilian for a tap-in. But the ball’s travelling at speed and he shanks it wide and high. Could the miss cost Liverpool? That was awful.
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84 min: That’s Keita’s last contribution. He’s replaced by Milner. Meanwhile Norwich make a double change, throwing on Buendia and Drmic in place of Rupp and Tettey.
83 min: ... Henderson flashes at fresh air by the near post. Cantwell tries to make off down the left, and is clattered from behind by Keita, who is booked for his trouble.
82 min: Salah miscontrols 25 yards out. No matter: McLean blooters the loose ball behind for a corner. From which ...
80 min: Salah and Alexander-Arnold take turns to busy themselves down the right, but neither player manages to produce anything significant. The away fans making plenty of noise now, nevertheless.
GOAL! Norwich City 0-1 Liverpool (Mane 78)
Henderson creams a long ball down the inside-left channel. Mane brings it down, spins, and slams a wonderful shot into the bottom left. There’s a quick VAR check, as Mane had placed a hand on Zimmerman’s back as he turned, but it’s never going to be disallowed.
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77 min: Liverpool’s play is getting a little frantic. Passes not quite sticking. And then, all of a sudden ...
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75 min: ... it’s an easy take for Alisson. Liverpool try to break upfield, but Norwich are soon coming straight back at them through Lewis, who goes on a glory run down the left. He’s eventually stopped by Henderson, tracking back, but for a second Liverpool were exposed there. After a long period under pressure, Norwich have the scent now!
74 min: Suddenly Norwich have their tails up, and in the next phase of play, a corner’s won down the right. One corner leads to another, and ...
72 min: Cantwell tears down the left. He rolls the ball across the face of the box. Tettey lets it run across him. He looks as though he’s taken it too far wide, but then unleashes a shot that caroms off the base of the right-hand post and away! Norwich so close to taking a shock lead! Again!
71 min: Mane releases Salah down the inside left with a sensational diagonal pass. Salah pulls the ball across the face of goal, but nobody else in red is switched on, allowing Zimmerman to clear.
70 min: Hanley slips over with the ball at his feet, just outside the Norwich box. Henderson clumsily falls on him, and suddenly a promising chance for Liverpool is a free kick for Norwich. Hanley breathes a sigh of relief.
69 min: Gomez sprays a long pass down the left. Robertson cushions a header into the path of Mane, who threatens to burst clear into the box. But Aarons stands firm, Krul gathers, and the ball had hit Mane’s arm anyway.
67 min: Liverpool’s corner is no good, though Van Dijk fumes as he’s tugged over by a combination of Pukki and Rupp. There’s not enough in the tussle, and play goes on.
66 min: Robertson whistles another cross in from the left flank. Aarons sticks out a leg to intercept, with Mane lurking, and nearly deflects the ball into his own net. Instead, it’ll be a corner.
65 min: Liverpool keep Norwich pinned in their own box. Crosses flying in from both sides. Salah has the best chance, but his attempt to sidefoot home a Robertson cross into the bottom right is blocked.
64 min: Robertson crosses from the left. The ball is nowhere near Salah and that’s easy pickings for Krul.
62 min: Norwich take their sweet time over a throw in the midfield. Liverpool look a little agitated, which is of course the point.
60 min: Klopp has seen enough. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wijnaldum are replaced by Mane and Fabinho.
59 min: Salah turns on a sixpence inside the Norwich area and blasts towards the bottom left. Krul parries sensationally. The ball sits up for Keita, who must score, but doesn’t connect properly, allowing Krul to parry again and smother. It’s one of those: a bad miss but a stunning save nonetheless. Both sides have had one now.
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58 min: Ah, there he is! Salah tees him up on the edge of the D. He sends a rising shot towards Krul, who is forced to tip over the bar. Corner, from which Van Dijk sends an uncharacteristically tame header into the arms of Krul.
56 min: Space for Keita down the right. He’s got options in the box, but prods a very uncertain ball into the area that’s easily intercepted and cleared. So much for the earlier brief sighting of Leipzig Naby.
54 min: Keita romps down the middle before feeding Robertson out on the left. Robertson rolls the ball through the six-yard box, but Firmino can’t get anywhere near it at the front stick. The ball trundles harmlessly out for a goal kick. This is going swimmingly for Norwich, who are keeping the runaway league leaders at arm’s length.
52 min: Henderson’s poor pass in midfield allows Pukki to tear off down the left. The ball’s worked towards the other flank, Cantwell getting past Robertson and lashing a shot into the side netting. Alisson had it covered. Robertson took a wee tug on Cantwell’s shirt there; had the Norwich player decided to go down, the referee would have had a serious decision to make.
50 min: Norwich haven’t had a sniff since the restart. But Liverpool are yet to parlay their dominance into serious work for Krul.
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48 min: Firmino should make off down the right but McLean sticks to his back and eventually wrestles the ball away from him. The leaders have come out looking a little sharper, Jurgen Klopp presumably having made some trenchant observations during the break.
47 min: Liverpool are immediately on the front foot. Robertson drives down the left but can’t quite break clear. Then Henderson chips one into the box from the right but Aarons wins an aerial battle with Firmino and clears the danger.
Norwich get the second half underway. There have been no half-time changes.
Half-time entertainment. The current scoreline is good news for second-placed Manchester City ... and boy do they need some good news right now. Here’s David Conn’s latest take on City’s two-year Champions League ban.
HALF TIME: Norwich City 0-0 Liverpool
There’s just enough time for Liverpool to earn their third corner of the match, and waste it. And that’s the half-time whistle. Norwich will be very happy with their performance, though they should be leading. Rupp’s indecision and Alisson’s brilliance combining to keep the scores level.
45 min +1: The corner should be claimed by Krul at the far post. But the keeper thinks Zimmerman will deal, and vice versa. Eventually Salah nips in, but can’t find anyone in the centre with a weakly hit cross. Norwich get away with one.
45 min: Oxlade-Chamberlain and Robertson combine to win a corner on the left. One last chance for Liverpool to take a lead into half-time, perhaps?
44 min: Lewis nearly lets Firmino in with a poor clearing header, but just as it looks like the Brazilian will burst clear into the box, the Norwich sub fights back and clears up his own mess. An entertaining tussle.
42 min: Alexander-Arnold tries to find Van Dijk at the far post with a low curler, but Krul reads the free kick well and smothers.
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41 min: Henderson rolls a pass down the right channel for Firmino, who turns Hanley with ease. Hanley climbs all over his back to stop him bursting into the box, and takes the booking. This is still a free kick in a dangerous position, though, just to the side of the box, 25 yards out.
39 min: Alexander-Arnold prepares to take the corner, but is held up awhile as the referee comes across to check he’s placed the ball in the quadrant. Eventually we’re good to go. The corner is blocked, and ends up back at the feet of Alexander-Arnold, who yanks a wild shot wide left from the edge of the box.
37 min: That near miss has lit a fire under Liverpool. Robertson, Keita and Salah take turns to drive at the Norwich back line. Salah’s shot, an attempted curler towards the top left, is deflected out for a corner.
35 min: Rupp combines briskly with Cantwell down the right. For a split second it looks as though they’ve opened Liverpool up, but Rupp runs the ball out for a goal kick. Norwich are soon coming back at the leaders. A long ball down the middle. Rupp brings it down, and he’s clear of the Liverpool offside trap! He tries to round Alisson on the keeper’s left - or is he trying to pass to Pukki, by his side? Either way, Alisson sticks out an arm and breaks up the move. What a save ... but Rupp will reflect that he should have done better. Norwich should be leading.
33 min: Keita plays a headed one-two with Henderson on the edge of the Norwich box, then drags a lame shot wide right. Krul, calmness personified, watches it bobble harmlessly past his post.
32 min: Robertson is sent scampering down the left by Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cute flick. His low cross fails to find Salah, six yards out, and Norwich are able to clear their lines.
30 min: The first sign of Liverpool frustration, as Van Dijk tries to force an attack and yanks a weird pass to nobody straight out of play. No pressure, other than the weight of history.
28 min: Robertson’s diagonal ball is stunned instantly by Salah, just inside the Norwich box on the right. He tees up Alexander-Arnold, who hits a weak first-time shot that’s easily blocked. Norwich are holding their own.
26 min: Byram is helped off by the physio and is replaced by Lewis.
24 min: Krul rakes a ball down the Norwich left. Byram sticks out a leg to trap, and twangs his hamstring. He immediately clasps the back of his right leg. He’s clearly not going to be able to continue.
22 min: Keita bursts into action, dribbling with purpose down the middle, beating a couple of Norwich challenges and nearly executing a crisp one-two with Salah. Norwich manage to hack clear. A brief glimpse of the Naby Keita we saw at Leipzig.
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20 min: Liverpool’s patience snaps, and Oxlade-Chamberlain hoicks a dismal cross from the left deep into the stand behind. Krul hasn’t been forced into serious action yet.
19 min: Liverpool stroke it around the back in the 1970s style. Patience the watchword for the leaders at the minute.
17 min: The free kick is sent down the left wing, but Pukki is unable to get the jump on Gomez. The home side are playing with the freedom of a team who have been told by their boss that this is a free hit.
16 min: Henderson bowls Cantwelll to the floor, to the left of the centre circle. A chance for Norwich to send folk upfield.
14 min: Firmino appears to be in the mood tonight. He nearly sends Wijnaldum clear down the inside left with a ludicrous dragback and flick, but the Dutch midfielder gets his feet in a tangle as he looks to burst into the box. Norwich clear.
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12 min: Tettey, going down the middle, has team-mates either side of him, and Liverpool backtracking. He should slip Pukki clear down the inside left, but picks the wrong pass and the chance to seriously worry Liverpool is gone.
10 min: A long ball down the middle by Liverpool this time. Firmino tries to bring it down on the penalty spot with a Bergkamp-style trap and turn. He nearly executes it perfectly, but Zimmerman gets a toe in, and Firmino’s sensational plan is foiled.
8 min: Norwich come again, Cantwell trying a trick to get past Alexander-Arnold on the left. Neat skill, but it doesn’t quite come off and he loses control. Goal kick. Yes, this match is promising to bloom into an entertaining back-and-forth.
7 min: Oxlade-Chamberlain has a dig from 25 yards. His attempt to thread one into the bottom left is easily snaffled by Krul. This match is lively and open.
6 min: A long ball down the middle by Hanley. Pukki is under it, and for a second looks like getting ahead of Gomez. But he slips as he tries to figure out the ball’s flight, and Liverpool mop up. That’ll give Norwich encouragement after a slow start.
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5 min: Alexander-Arnold whips a ball in from the right. Zimmerman tries to clear with a diving header, but succeeds only in pinging the ball off the lurking Keita. It ricochets harmlessly into the arms of Krul, but on another day, etc. Then Liverpool come again through Firmino down the inside-left channel. He tries to work enough space for a proper shot but fails. City clear their lines.
4 min: Liverpool are beginning to hog the ball. Norwich are happy to sit back, and sit deep.
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3 min: All a bit scrappy so far as both teams try to get a handle on the conditions.
1 min: Liverpool are on the front foot immediately. Firmino drifts in from the left and tees up Alexander-Arnold, who drags a shot well wide left after 13 seconds. That would have been some start.
Liverpool get the game started. “Norwich might be facing a Liverpool team on a terrifying run, but at least they don’t have to face Luis Suarez,” writes Matt Dony. “Man, he hated Norwich. So many ridiculous goals.”
In the interests of balance, here’s one of the greatest goals of all time.
The teams are out! Norwich wear their trademark yellow and green. That allows Liverpool to wear their storied red. It’s always an aesthetic treat when both teams get to wear their best duds. Despite the horrific weather, Carrow Road is packed and bouncing. We’ll be off in a couple of minutes!
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Farke talking up his side’s chances, there, as best he can. He’ll be pleased to know that Ben Heywood has his back. “I’d love to believe that we could pull off a shock and become the first team in about 12 months to beat Liverpool and thereafter pull off the greatest escape since James Coburn strolled over the Swiss border. It’s lovely to dream about prolonging our stay in the Premier League and hanging on to about £100m worth of talent (Buendia, Cantwell, Aarons and Godfrey would fetch that collectively). But it just ain’t going to happen. Our entire squad and stadium cost less than VVD and we can’t even outspend the likes of Sheffield Utd - the relegation writing has been on the changing room wall since November. But ... but ... you never know. It’s football - and what I love about Daniel Farke is that he will set us up to have a go, regardless of the likely battering it’ll earn us. We’re bottom-of-the-table box-office!” The feature presentation is coming up soon.
A word with that other charismatic German, Daniel Farke. “Today is just the second time all season that we have had three centre backs available. That says a lot about our injury crisis. There is good competition and the lads have done fantastic in recent games, so hopefully we can put in a good performance today. We are playing the best team in the world, the floodlights are on, it’s a home game, everyone should enjoy it. We will go out brave and try to be ourselves today. A win would be great, but we are realistic, we know everything has to come together today and put in an outstanding performance.”
Weather report. Seeing we’re watching the Canaries tonight ...
In other news, Storm Dennis is doing its thing over East Anglia. Plenty of wind and rain. Jurgen Klopp, on record as disliking windy conditions, reacts to events: “We had a week of wind in training, so we have to deal with it. Both teams have to. We’ll see how strong it will be. The direction can change everything. We just have to find the right attitude and fight, if possible to play. If not, to play long balls and fight for second balls. Adapt to the situation. You have to use the situation and not suffer from it.”
It’s as you were for Norwich. Daniel Farke names the same side that earned a point at Newcastle two weeks ago.
Liverpool make one change to the side that beat Southampton 4-0 on the first day of the month. Naby Keita comes in for Fabinho, who drops to the bench. Sadio Mane is back from injury, and named as a sub.
The teams
Norwich City: Krul, Aarons, Zimmermann, Hanley, Byram, Tettey, McLean, Rupp, Duda, Cantwell, Pukki.
Subs: Godfrey, Vrancic, Hernandez, Lewis, Emi, Drmic, Fahrmann.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson, Keita, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Subs: Fabinho, Lovren, Milner, Mane, Adrian, Lallana, Origi.
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).
Preamble
Norwich City need some points, and they need them damn fast. Having only won one of their last dozen matches, they’re seven points and eight goals adrift of safety. Three points this evening aren’t a must, not yet, but how they would help. One, never mind three, might be so precious come the end of the season.
A small problem tonight: they’re facing Liverpool, who have won 34 of their last 35 matches in this division. An even bigger problem: that’s not the most nerve-shredding stat Norwich have to wrestle with! Liverpool have won seven of their last eight games against Norwich, rattling in 33 goals along the way. In recent years, the Canaries have been Liverpool’s bunnies.
But this is football, and so there’s always hope. For a start, Liverpool can often look a little rusty coming off the back of a break. On the opening day of this season, Norwich gave a better account of themselves at Anfield than a 4-1 result suggests. And early on in Jurgen Klopp’s reign, City pushed the Reds all the way in a psychedelic mindbender that ended 4-5. That game, in January 2016, was the last time these teams met at Carrow Road. Klopp, who had his glasses memorably clipped off his startled face during the melee that ensued after Adam Lallana’s late, late winner, won’t forget that one in a hurry.
Norwich will also point to their home record this season. They’ve drawn with Arsenal and Spurs, gave Chelsea a fright, and stunned the champions Manchester City on a Saturday evening back in September. It’ll surely count as a huge shock if they get something out of this match tonight ... and yet on the other hand, it wouldn’t be such a big surprise at all. Can the bottom club stun the leaders? Or will Liverpool stretch their lead at the top to a wholly preposterous 25 points? It should be fun finding out the answer. It’s on!
Kick off: 5.30pm.
