Liverpool host Norwich within the FA Cup fourth spherical on Sunday, however an enormous elephant within the room dominates the pre-match discuss.
Liverpool vs. Norwich
FA Cup fourth spherical | Anfield
January 28, 2024 | 2.30pm (GMT)
Issues had been going so swimmingly for the Reds after which the Jurgen Klopp information broke!
Who else continues to be shocked?
Klopp introduced that he’ll depart Liverpool on the finish of the season, in a call that has despatched shockwaves all over the world of soccer. It should, in fact, dominate the pre-match chats in and round Anfield on Sunday.
Championship aspect Norwich head to Anfield for an FA Cup fourth assembly this weekend, seeking to finish the Reds’ quadruple hopes.
Right here’s all that you must know forward of the sport.
1. Klopp’s resignation stuns Liverpool
On Friday, Klopp advised the world that he has determined to give up as Liverpool supervisor this summer season, citing “working out of power” as a cause behind his choice.
It has been troublesome for Reds followers to focus on anything because the information broke, and it might not totally sink in for some time but.
Klopp has been a transformative determine at Anfield since October 2015, profitable the lot and turning into essentially the most influential determine on the membership in many years, and his exit will depart a gaping void.
Anticipate a giant ambiance on Sunday, for what in any other case may need been a low key recreation! Sorry Jurgen, however we’ll be singing your tune all recreation!
2. Focus now on Norwich
It is necessary that Liverpool don’t enable the Klopp information to take focus away from the job in-hand.
The Merseysiders are purring in the mean time, reaching the League Cup closing in midweek, and they are going to be anticipated to beat Norwich on Sunday.
The Canaries are a superb aspect, nonetheless, sitting eighth within the Championship this season and threatening to complete within the playoff positions.
With adjustments anticipated in Liverpool’s beginning lineup, this might not be as straightforward as some assume.
3. Klopp up towards his finest man
Klopp could also be an emotional determine on Sunday afternoon, however he may have considered one of his best associates by his aspect all through the sport.
That’s as a result of Norwich supervisor David Wagner was the Liverpool boss’ finest man at his wedding ceremony, highlighting how shut they’re.
The pair have been nice associates for over 25 years, and Klopp is worked up forward of the weekend motion, saying:
“We had already conversations about it. He requested me for enormous rotation. I advised him that doesn’t assist, clearly. It’s cool to have the sport. When he labored at Huddersfield, he watched a whole lot of video games right here within the stadium, once they didn’t play he was right here, and now he’s again.
“We didn’t see one another for a very long time, the following time in all probability would have been in the summertime, so now it’s good to catch up and to lock horns once more.”
4. Staff information
Fortunately, Liverpool’s accidents are easing on a regular basis, additional suggesting that they’re primed to combat throughout 4 competitions this season.
Andy Robertson returned to the squad towards Fulham on Wednesday night time, and whereas he didn’t come on, he may function at house to Norwich, most definitely from the bench.
In the meantime, Dominik Szoboszlai can also be again in rivalry after returning to full coaching, whereas Trent Alexander-Arnold can also be again within the squad.
Mohamed Salah continues to bear a rehabilitation programme, to be able to be match for the latter phases of the Africa Cup of Nations, and he received’t be again for Liverpool till February.
Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic are nonetheless lacking, however Thiago was noticed in coaching on Friday.
5. Who’re Norwich’s key males?
Norwich will know that they’re huge underdogs heading into the match, however that’s to not say that they don’t have gamers who can damage Liverpool.
Attacking midfielder Jonathan Rowe leads their Championship scoring charts with 12 objectives within the division this season, additionally including two assists.
Gabriel Sera is one other key man with 13 objective contributions general (5 objectives and eight assists), and the central midfielder has began each league recreation in 2023/24 up to now.
Angus Gunn is a vital determine within the Norwich objective, and the house followers will probably be hoping he isn’t the newest visiting goalkeeper to be in impressed kind at Anfield.
His father Bryan began the final time Norwich beat Liverpool – extra on that later…
6. Predicted Liverpool XI
Klopp is anticipated to ring the adjustments, particularly with an important Premier League conflict at house to Chelsea looming on Wednesday night time.
Allison is anticipated to return in objective, with Caoimhin Kelleher the designated League Cup goalkeeper, whereas Conor Bradley ought to proceed within the absence of Alexander-Arnold.
Ibrahima Konate is prone to come again into the defence, probably rotating for Virgil van Dijk, whereas Owen Beck may nicely get a begin at left-back.
Curtis Jones is one other who ought to return to the XI after being on the bench in midweek, and Bobby Clark will hope to make solely his second-ever Liverpool begin.
Diogo Jota will certainly be in assault after not beginning at Fulham, with Darwin Nunez potential the one to make manner after numerous minutes just lately.
Doable Liverpool XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Quansah, Beck; Jones, Clark, Gravenberch; Elliott, Gakpo, Jota.
7. Klopp’s presser
Jurgen truly held his pre-Norwich press convention on Thursday, which was odd – little did we all know the explanation why on the time.
In fact, there wasn’t a lot dialogue about Norwich particularly, however there have been some phrases on his finest good friend, David Wagner.
8. Did You Know?
It’s truthful to say that Liverpool have loved loads of success towards Norwich down the years, together with the well-known 5-4 victory and last-gasp Adam Lallana winner in 2016, when Klopp misplaced his glasses amid the celebrations.
In truth, the final time the Canaries tasted victory over the Reds was all the best way again in 1994, when a Jeremy Goss strike earned them a 1-0 win within the final recreation in entrance of the previous Kop.
That’s 30 years in the past in Might, which appears scarcely plausible, which means Liverpool are unbeaten in 18 matches towards Norwich.
The newest assembly was within the FA Cup fifth spherical in March 2022, as Klopp’s males received 2-1 at Anfield, because of a Takumi Minamino double – en path to lifting the trophy.
9. A brand new referee for Liverpool
Sam Barrott has been confirmed because the referee for Sunday’s recreation, in what will probably be his first-ever match answerable for Liverpool.
Solely 30 years of age, Barrott has taken cost of 9 Premier League fixtures this season, together with Arsenal‘s 4-3 win away to Luton final month.
He has proven one crimson card in that point, sending-off Fulham‘s Raul Jimenez in his aspect’s 3-0 defeat away to Newcastle.
10. Be part of us on TIA’s stay weblog
Liverpool vs. Norwich is stay on ITV 1 from 1.55pm (UK) on Sunday, with kickoff at 2.30pm.
Alternatively, TIA’s matchday stay weblog will probably be working as all the time, with Henry Jackson attempting to not cry occupied with Klopp, as an alternative guiding you thru the motion.
Come on you Reds!