Liverpool vs Norwich: Preview and Prediction

Jurgen Klopp would be reasonably happy with the business done by Liverpool. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Liverpool host Norwich City in the fourth round of the FA Cup tomorrow afternoon and they will look to continue their impressive run of form with a victory at home.

The Reds are unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions and they have picked up five wins in that time.

Meanwhile, Norwich are coming into this game on the back of a narrow defeat against Leeds United but they have been impressive form overall. They have picked up three wins and two draws from their last six matches across all competitions.

However, Liverpool are a cut above the Championship outfit and they have a formidable record against Norwich. It will be interesting to see if the away side can pull off an upset at Anfield tomorrow.

Team news and tactics

Liverpool

Liverpool will be without Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic and Kostas Tsimikas because of injury. Mohamed Salah is struggling with a hamstring problem. Wataru Endo is away on international duty for the Asian cup.

Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation with Alisson Becker in goal.

Conor Bradley and Andrew Robertson are likely to start as the full backs. They will look to help out in the attack and protect the central defence. Ibrahima Konate will start alongside club captain Virgil van Dijk in central defence.

Alexis Mac Allister will continue in his anchor role with Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones adding creativity and drive to the midfield alongside him.

Darwin Nunez will look to continue his impressive form and he will lead the line here. Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz are likely to start in the wide areas.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Mac Allister, Jones; Gakpo, Nunez, Diaz

Norwich

The away side will be without the services of Danny Batth because of an injury problem.

They will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with George Long in goal.

Jack Stacey and Dimitris Giannoulis will start as the full backs. They will look to keep the Liverpool wingers in check and protect the central defence. Shane Duffy will start alongside Ben Gibson in central defence.

In the midfield pivot, Gabriel Sara will start alongside Kenny McLean. They will look to break up the Liverpool attack and win the ball back for their side.

Ashley Barnes will start as the central attacking midfielder and he will look to add creativity and technical ability in the middle of the park.

Christian Fassnacht and Jonathan Rowe will start as the wingers. They will look to help out during counter attacks and create goal scoring opportunities from the wide areas.

Adam Idah will start as the striker.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Long; Stacey, Duffy, Gibson, Giannoulis; Sara, McLean; Rowe, Barnes, Fassnacht; Idah

Key Stats

  • Liverpool have won their last 7 matches against Norwich in all competitions.
  • Liverpool have scored at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 matches against Norwich in all competitions.
  • 19 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two sides.
  • Liverpool have won five of their last six matches across all competitions.
  • Norwich are unbeaten in five of their last six matches across all competitions.

Key Player

Darwin Nunez

The 24-year-old Uruguayan international is an impressive form right now and he has picked up 3 goals and 4 assists in his last 8 appearances for Liverpool.

He will look to create goal scoring opportunities with pace, flair and ability to link up with his teammates. Nunez will also look to add to his goal scoring tally for the season.

Norwich will struggle to cope with his physicality, pace and directness.

Prediction

Liverpool 2-0 Norwich

Liverpool are certainly the better team here and they should be able to grind out a win at home. Norwich have done reasonably well in the recent weeks but they are up against the superior opposition and they are simply out of their depth here.

They have a miserable record against Liverpool and that is likely to continue here. A comfortable home win is on the cards.

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