KLOPP GOING FOUR IT
JURGEN KLOPP revealed he is embracing the challenge of a four-fronted pursuit of silverware after a muchchanged Liverpool kept their Premier League hopes alive. The German’s seven alterations to his line-up looked ill-judged as the Reds trailed just past the hour mark thanks to a Milot Rashica strike early in the second half.
However, goals from Sadio
Mane, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz kept the pressure on leaders Manchester City.
With the Reds set to contest the League Cup final next week and also going well in both the Champions League and FA Cup, Klopp is excited by the possibilities the season holds.
He said: “The situation we really enjoy.we see it as an opportunity and we never had it before.
“Being in all four competitions, it’s incredible. But it’s not easy for the boys and that’s exactly why we changed (seven players) today.”
The first half was mostly one-way traffic and Norwich had Angus Gunn to thank for not falling behind, the keeper stopping efforts from Mane and Salah, while Mathias Normann headed a Salah attempt off the line.
Klopp’s men were punished when Alisson was left with no chance by the huge deflection off Joel Matip that sent Rashica’s shot curling in at the far post.
But the Liverpool response did not come until past the hour mark, when Klopp rolled the dice in introducing both Divock Origi and Thiago Alcantara.
That ambition was rewarded with two goals in three minutes, Mane burying a brilliant overhead kick from Tsimikas’ header, and
Salah sending a right
footed effort dribbling over the line for his 150th goal for the club.
Diaz’s first goal for Liverpool was a chipped finish over Gunn after a delicious pass from Jordan Henderson.
The final scoreline felt harsh on Norwich and boss Dean Smith said of their display: “Rally gutsy but I have to be honest – I’m a realist – we got what we deserved.”