Mane strikes his 100th EPL goal to enter an elite club as Liverpool beat Norwich to open up 25-point lead

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. The champions-elect were short of their fluent best at Carrow Road 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 19th-placed 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 since December and Mane was on the bench as Liverpool started with confidence.

Reds controlled possession early without creating many openings but Norwich managed some brief spells of attractive passing. 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.

But despite a few scary moments, Farke's men kept Liverpool quiet and came close to snatching the lead themselves.

Lukas Rupp got in behind the Liverpool defence and controlled a long ball over the top. He opted to pass to his left to Teemu Pukki but Alisson Becker produced a superb save, clawing the ball away at the feet of the Finnish striker.