MINAMINO’S MAJOR ROLE
Takumi double keeps Reds on track for shot at Quadruple
JURGEN KLOPP will not like it but this will just add to the Quadruple talk.
The fact Liverpool could make 10 changes from Sunday and coast past Premier League opposition into the FA Cup quarter-finals was more evidence of their strength in depth.
It was against a much-changed Norwich side, though. Yet even without their usual sparkle they got the job done with relative ease.
The Reds collected their first piece of silverware when they beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.That was one down three to go and they took another step closer to Wembley again with this win at Anfield.
Takumi Minamino’s first-half double ensured the Merseysiders’ place in today’s draw for the last eight and, despite a late strike from Norwich’s Lukas Rupp, their progression never looked in doubt.
Liverpool manager Klopp believes talk of the Reds winning four major trophies this season is crazy. But if they keep this momentum going then even he may struggle to play down the hype which is building in these parts.
Obviously, there are bigger challenges ahead than Norwich. Catching Manchester City in the Premier League being one of them.
And if they complete their Champions League last-16 tie against Inter Milan – which they lead 2-0 after the first leg – then they will face one of Europe’s big boys in the last eight. But a job needed to be done here and it was done routinely.
The fact it came after so many changes will please Klopp immensely. His star men are rested for a crunch game at home to West Ham on Saturday now. Only Jordan Henderson survived from Sunday’s starting line-up, but the skipper, along with
James Milner, set the tone early. There could have been a hangover from their win over Chelsea but these two got the Reds going.
It was still scrappy until the opener. That came in the 27th minute when Kostas Tsimikas crossed and Divock Origi, below, laid the ball off to Minamino. The Japan international slotted home to get the 750th goal of Klopp’s reign in just 360 games. With the arrival of Luis Diaz in January, Minamino may have been one player worrying about his future here. But Klopp needs everyone in this squad if they are to have a crack at all four trophies. He showed his value again with a fine finish for the second.
Tsimikas’ corner was flicked on by Ben Gibson but fell to an unmarked Minamino and he lashed in it off the post in the 39th minute.
Norwich had spells of possession but little creativity until Milot Rashica fired wide just before the break.
Liverpool were back in control with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cracking the outside of the post. Rupp gave the visitors hope with a fine strike from just outside the area with 14 minutes to go, but there was no late drama. LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson 6; Milner 7, Gomez 6, Konate 7, Tsimikas 7; Oxlade-Chamberlain 7, Henderson 8 (Morton 61), Jones 6 (Elliott 46, 6); Jota 7 (Diaz 84), Origi 7 (Mane 84), Minamino 8. Goals: Minamino 27, 39.
NORWICH (4-3-3): Krul 6; Byram 6, Zimmermann 5, Gibson 6, Giannoulis 6; Rupp 7, Normann 5 (Gilmour 61, 6), Lees-Melou 6; Placheta 6 (Sargent 46, 6), Pukki 5 (Dowell 61, 6), Rashica 6 (Rowe 61, 6). Goal: Rupp 76.