Liverpool managed to win with difficulty at the headquarters of Norwich City, Carrow Road, in the English Premier League match. Sadio Mane was scored the winner goal in the match.
Liverpool who came as a guest team at Carrow Road immediately pressed the host Norwich City since the match whistle began sounded by referee Stuart Attwell. The Reds immediately showed a surging attack demonstration since the early minutes.
But the Norwich defense led by Christoph Zimmermann really appeared straightforward throughout the first half.
Norwich players seemed to tirelessly overshadow Liverpool players. Sometimes nine Norwich players help the defense and leave only Teemu Pukki in the center line of the pitch.
With so many players coming down to defend, Liverpool players are not free to move. Two Liverpool fullbacks, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson also immediately joined to get tight escort when rising to help the attack.
In the 33rd minute, Norwich even almost broke into the Liverpool goal using a long pass that makes Luke Rupp free from the offside trap. Rupp was free standing followed by Pukki beside him.
But Rupp’s intention to thrust the ball towards Pukki could be read well by Alisson who immediately cut the ball.
In total only one shot on target Liverpool can do in the first round.
Entering the second half, Liverpool still in control of the game. But their efforts to damage the Norwich defense and thrill the opponent’s goal is still difficult to do.
Krul’s team had a big role behind the success of Norwich to thwart Liverpool attacks in the 58th minute. The Dutch goalkeeper was able to ward off Naby Keita’s hard kick from outside the penalty box.
One minute later, Krul blocks Salah’s kick and then throws Keita’s shot from close range.
Jurgen Klopp then put Fabinho and Sadio Mane in the 60th minute to try to change the course of the match.
Norwich also began to attack through a counter-attack scheme. In the 72nd minute, Alexander Tettey’s kick hit the Liverpool goalpost.
After that moment, Norwich became even more eager to put pressure. Norwich’s intention to put more pressure on Liverpool was put to good use.
Difficult to score goals through the attack into the penalty box, Jordan Henderson brilliantly release bait far towards Sadio Mane. Mane controls the ball in a difficult position, then spins, before releasing a hard kick that cannot be dammed by Krul. Liverpool won 1-0 in the 78th minute.
Left behind by one goal, Norwich had no other option but to come out attacking in the remaining time of the match. But Liverpool were able to maintain a 1-0 advantage until the end of the match.
