Liverpool 4-1 Norwich: Four things learned
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Norwich City started their Premier League campaign with a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Friday.
The Champions League winners proved too much to handle for Norwich in the first-half, as the Canaries struggled to deal with the likes of Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino.
However, it was Norwich player who scored the first goal of the 2019/20 season… with Grant Hanley turning the ball into his own net from six-yards out.
Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Divock Origi then scored to put Liverpool 4-0 up heading into the second-half.
Norwich came out fighting in the second 45 and pulled one back through Teemu Pukki, who collected Emi Buendia’s through ball and clinically finished into the bottom corner from just inside the box.
Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives for Norwich to take from the game, but what did they learn? Here are four things we have picked out…
Leitner needs to start
Norwich looked far more cohesive and composed in possession with Moritz Leitner on the pitch. He linked up the play in midfield and was constantly looking to put Norwich on the front foot with his progressive passing. He should come in for Marco Stiepermann next week against Newcastle.
Klose needs to come back quickly
Grant Hanley proved that he is out of his depth in the Premier League. He was well-liked as Norwich finished 14th in the Championship, but the harsh truth is that he’s not good enough for this league. Hopefully, Timm Klose is fit to face Newcastle, or Ibrahim Amadou is capable of stepping in to play at centre-back. The man on loan from Sevilla is a defensive midfielder, but did play as a central defender at times for Lille in France.
Pukki will score 10+
Anyone who had any doubts over Teemu Pukki’s ability to score goals at this level will be changing their tune this weekend. The Finland international looked sharp throughout the game and caused Van Dijk and Joe Gomez a lot of problems, eventually leading to his goal. With the service he’ll be provided by Emi Buendia, Pukki will score 10+ in the league, if he can stay fit.
Krul proved a point
After many questions about who would be Norwich’s number one this season, due to the signing of Ralf Fahrmann on loan, Tim Krul stepped up and produced a good performance against Liverpool. Although he could have perhaps done better for the Van Dijk header, he made up for it with three impressive stops later in the game. A good start for the Dutchman. Fahrmann is sure to push him hard, but Krul appears to be thriving under the pressure of the German’s challenge.
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