It’s sweet 17 as super sub Sadio is back with a bang to edge Reds closer to title
Norwich City.......................0 Liverpool...............................1
Sadio Mane fired Liverpool to within touching distance of the title as they racked up their 17th straight win – but they were made to sweat.
Rock-bottom Norwich gave the Reds as good as they got for long spells before sub Mane made a telling return from injury.
The Senegalese star climbed off the bench after an hour of stalemate at Carrow Road for his first appearance since injury forced him off against Wolves last month.
And he wasted no time in showing he was back to his best.
Just 18 minutes later he pounced on Jordan Henderson’s ball into the box and cleverly controlled it before drilling a low shot past Tim Krul to break the Canaries’ resistance.
It was Liverpool’s 34th win from their last 35 Premier League games but their 17th straight success was a nervy one, ground out amid howling winds and driving rain.
But it moved Jurgen Klopp’s men a massive 25 points clear of Manchester City at the Premier League summit as they chase their first title success since 1990.
Boss Klopp admits he struggles to fathom his side’s huge points advantage.
The German said: “It’s so insane I don’t understand it.
“I’m not smart enough, it’s difficult. Never had that before and I’ve no clue how it happened really.
“It’s just we are focused on what we are doing and it feels really good.
“It’s outstanding. It’s so difficult.
You go in after the game, analyse the match and then say, ‘Oh yeah, yeah, we won the game congratulations.’ It’s outstanding. You count the points and it’s three more. It’s unbelievable.”
Klopp’s side were not at their clinical best against a battling Norwich side who almost took a first-half lead when Scotland star Kenny McLean set up former Celtic striker Teemu Pukki but his effort was smothered by Kop keeper Alisson.
Norwich midfielder Alex Tettey also saw a shot hit the woodwork in the second half while Pukki was again denied by Alisson when the Finn broke clear in the last minute.
So it was Mane’s magical strike which settled it and Klopp added: “Sadio was fresh and he helped us to win the game, which was outstanding.
“I have to watch the goal back but I’m pretty sure it was a fantastic finish.”
Mane was delighted his goal – his 100th in English football after 25 for Southampton – kept his side on course for the title.
He said: “It was the target from the beginning. It’s one step but we are doing very well.
“We will do everything possible to carry on in the same way and we’ll see what happens at the end of the season.
“It was not easy being out injured, but you have to deal with it. I went for some treatment, I worked hard and I came back.
“We are a strong team and the boys do a great job.
“We are Liverpool, we are a strong team and we’re happy with our result in this game.”