Liverpool 5-2 Norwich City: Interesting win seals Reds' place in FA Cup fifth round

Liverpool advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup with an entertaining victory over Norwich in their first game since manager Jurgen Klopp announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season.

By the time Curtis Jones nodded the hosts forward from James McConnell's cross on his full debut, Darwin Nunez had already hit the post with a superb curling drive.

The Canaries equalized in the closing minutes with Ben Gibson converting Gabriel Sala's corner kick, but Nunez restored Liverpool's lead with a composed finish after some fine work from full-back Conor Bradley.

Then, early in the second half, Diogo Jota latched onto Gibson's wayward header and fired a low shot past goalkeeper George Long to make it 3-1.

Second-half substitute Virgil van Dijk was completely free from Dominik Szoboszlai's corner kick, but he headed home Liverpool's fourth goal, and Borja Sainz's fine goal gave Norwich hope. Gave – right after Christian Fasnacht's finish was disallowed for offside.

Another disappointment for the home side was that teenager McConnell was injured late in the game, forcing him to be replaced by Luis Diaz with 12 minutes remaining, but Ryan Gravenbirch headed home from close range. There was still time to take the shot and score the goal.

The Reds will host either Watford or Southampton in round five after the Championship clubs were held to a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road earlier on Sunday.

Business as usual for the dominant Reds

Klopp shocked the football world by announcing that his nine-year spell at Liverpool would end at the end of the season, citing low energy levels as the reason for his departure.

But there was no lack of energy in his team on an emotionally charged afternoon at Anfield.

David Wagner, Klopp's opposite number and close friend, had jokingly called for a “massive rotation” from the Liverpool manager before the match, but the hosts only had Van Dijk, Szoboszlai and Dias in their starting XI. Despite missing, he had little trouble overpowering his opponent.

The 20-year-old was a persistent threat on the right flank and was heavily involved in Liverpool's second goal, winning the ball back near the halfway line and playing a fine one-two with Jota before releasing Nunez.

McConnell, who was given his first-team debut late in a 3-0 win over Brentford in November, crossed for Jones' opener and calmly held the ball until he was forced off late in the second half. Ta.

Norwich, without leading scorer John Law through injury, struggled to test Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, despite showing some clean passing in the build-up play, and Gibson's goal It was the only attempt in the first 45 minutes.

Jota's smart finish seven minutes into the second half gave Klopp fresh legs, with Andy Robertson back in action since suffering a shoulder injury in Scotland's Euro 2024 qualifying defeat to Spain in October. He came off the bench in his first appearance.

Sainz's superb strike in the second period had the visiting supporters cheering, but Van Dijk's header six minutes earlier left the Canaries with a mountain too big to climb.

And Grabenwerch's late header added to a dominant performance by the Premier League leaders, who look forward to another draw at home to their Championship opponents next round.