In the fourth round of the FA Cup, Liverpool secured a 5-2 victory against Norwich in their first match since Jurgen Klopp announced his departure at the end of the season. Curtis Jones initially gave Liverpool the lead, but Ben Gibson equalized for Norwich. The match shifted in Liverpool’s favor with goals from Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, and Virgil van Dijk. Despite a late goal from Ryan Gravenberch for Norwich, Liverpool advanced to the fifth round, with Borja Sainz scoring a consolation goal for the Hawks. Lewis Steele provides insights into the key moments from the Anfield encounter.
It was perhaps too early for Anfield to bid a special farewell to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp
No special farewell for Klopp yet
If you had been living under a rock for 72 or so hours before attending this game and missed the bombshell news of Jurgen Klopp’s pending departure, there was little to suggest anything had changed at Liverpool.
Of course, nothing has changed yet. There was no mention of Klopp’s exit in the matchday programme, no special banners – both due to late notice – and aside from a few choruses of ‘I’m so glad that Jurgen is a Red’ the atmosphere was flat. Plenty more times to sɑy goodbye, mind.
James McConnell shines on proud day for Liverpool’s academy
Another proud day for Liverpool’s academy, with four of five goals all assisted by graduates – James McConnell, Conor Bradley (two) and Curtis Jones. The standout was 19-year-old McConnell, the young midfielder making his first senior start for the Reds.
He caught the eye of Klopp on the pre-season tour of Singapore and has been with the first team ever since. Newcastle-born McConnell was poached from Sunderland’s academy and has captained Liverpool’s youth teams.
He was a more ɑttɑck-minded midfielder as a kid but first-team coaches have moulded him into the No 6 role, and he shares the nickname ‘Macca’ with fellow holding midfielder, Alexis Mac Allister.
It was a proud day for Liverpool’s academy, with James McConnell making a major impact
No signs of Norwich promotion push
After being either promoted or relegated at the end of seven of nine seasons between 2013 and 2022, the strings of the Norwich yo-yo seem to have malfunctioned. This was never a match to judge David Wagner’s side but they are showing no signs of a promotion push.
Long-standing Stuart Webber recently departed and new man Ben Knapper, formerly of Arsenal’s recruitment team, has stood by Wagner, who fans are not convinced by. The Canaries have some handy players but this once well-run club seems to be lacking a sense of direction.
There haven’t been any signs of a promotion push from David Wagner’s Norwich
Nunez reaches double figures
10 – Among players in Europe’s big five leagues, Darwin Nunez is the first to Һit double figures for non-penalty goals (10) and assists (10) across all competitions this season.
Darwin Nunez is the first player in Europe’s big five leagues to Һit double figures for non-penalty goals and assists this season
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