Mane rescues Reds
Sadio strikes as Liverpool beat Norwich
London, Feb. 16: Sadio Mane struck as Liverpool overcame Storm Dennis and feisty basement club Norwich 1-0 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 25 points.
Jurgen Klopp’s champions-elect were short of their fluent best in windy conditions at Carrow Road on Saturday but returned immediately to winning ways after their winter break.
Liverpool have gone 43 top-flight matches unbeaten, just six matches behind Arsenal’s record of 49 games in 2003-04 and are sprinting towards their first league title for 30 years.
They have earned 103 points from the past 105 available to them in the Premier League, winning 34 of their past 35 matches.
The result leaves Daniel Farke’s Norwich rooted to the bottom of the table, six points behind 19thplaced Watford. They look set for an immediate return to the Championship despite their battling performance.
Klopp brought back midfielder Naby Keita for his first start in a Premier League match since December and Mane was on the bench as Liverpool started with confidence.
The champions-elect controlled possession in the early stages without creating many clear-cut openings but Norwich managed some brief spells of attractive passing football themselves.
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino was particularly impressive, producing an exquisite piece of skill to control a long Jordan Henderson pass before the ball was stolen off his toes as he shaped to shoot.
Liverpool were quickly on top again in the second half but struggled to create clear chances until Keita tested Tim Krul from distance in the 58th minute.
The Anfield giants laid siege to the Norwich goal but frustration mounted as the home side somehow kept the score at 0-0.
Just when it seemed Norwich could become only the second team this season, after Manchester United, to deny Liverpool all three points, Mane broke the deadlock.
The second-half substitute controlled a long ball from Henderson with his right foot in the 78th minute before lashing the ball past Norwich’s goalkeeper for the lone goal of the match. — AFP
● Liverpool have gone 43 top-flight matches unbeaten, just six matches behind Arsenal’s record of 49 games in 2003-04 and are sprinting towards their first league title for 30 years.