KLOPP’S CREW OFF TO FLIER
Van Dijk back in groove as Salah sparkles for Reds
THERE would have been a moment on Friday night at Liverpool’s team hotel when Jurgen Klopp quietly considered what would make a perfect opening day.
First and foremost, three points. Next on the list would have been to see Virgil van Dijk come through his first appearance since October 17; then Klopp would have thought about the prospect of his strikers clicking into gear and signs that Trent Alexander-Arnold was over the injury that ruined his summer.
After that, Liverpool’s manager would have given thought to a clean sheet to add gloss to the display. Football, as we know, rarely goes how you want it to but, on a stuffy night in East Anglia, Klopp got all that he wished for — and more.
For all the hoopla attached to Manchester United’s skewering of Leeds and Chelsea’s ruthless dismissal of Crystal Palace, Liverpool’s dismantling of Norwich served as a reminder that it would be folly to not consider them part of the title race. While rivals have spent furiously in recent weeks, Klopp has had to contend with chatter that Liverpool’s decision to be financially prudent will cost him. That viewpoint, nonetheless, does not give consideration to the talent he already has at his disposal.
This squad, when in form, is as good as anything in Europe and they played as if they had a point to prove, almost as if the return of fans had brought them back to life. Norwich put up a valiant show but, in terms of quality, they were in a different county to Liverpool.
The noise and colour before kick-off was wonderful and the locals turned the town yellow and green. They descended on Carrow Road in their thousands, with a giddy sense of anticipation and total faith that Daniel Farke could mastermind a command performance.
With all due respect, though, they needed more than giant aspirations to outwit Liverpool and once the early noise began to subside, Klopp’s men began to play with great professionalism and poise. It helped, of course, having Van Dijk back in the middle of the defence. While it would be wrong to go over the top about his performance, 301 days since he last appeared in the Premier League, you could not fail to see the difference his presence made.
Liverpool had the confidence to be 10 yards further up the field, Van Dijk’s thoughtful use of the ball ensuring they always had options and, soon, they began to impose themselves on the contest, quickening the pace and stretching their hosts.
Diogo Jota had the first sight of goal, with a header that forced Tim Krul to take urgent action. The Portuguese had been teed up by Naby Keita, a midfielder who has much to prove for Liverpool this season. Credit to the Guinean, he played with the urgency of a man who must make up time.
So began a steady stream of chances for Liverpool, who played significantly better than when they won 1-0 here in February 2020 en route to the title. Mohamed Salah shot straight at Krul in the 18th minute, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admonished himself moments later when failing to get a volley on target. Though Norwich, for whom Scotland international Billy Gilmour, on loan from Chelsea, started in midfield, briefly got their followers excited when Teemu Pukki sprang the offside trap — the Finn could only fire straight at Alisson Becker — you could see it was taking effort to swim against a red tide. Pukki got a sense of that in the 23rd minute when Sadio Mane spun him like a top and crossed to the back post for Salah, whose volley whistled wide. The clenching of the Egyptian’s teeth and furious running of his hands through his hair told you how close it was.
No matter. Salah would be involved in the goal that broke the deadlock. Whether he was trying to cushion Alexander-Arnold’s cross to Jota — or was actually aiming to control it for himself — only he will know but, either way, the deft touch presented Jota with an opening he would not spurn. Joel Matip was unfortunate not to double Liverpool’s lead in the 34th minute when Pierre Lees-Malou cleared his shot off the line but it was not a miss that would cost his side — all it did was delay the inevitable.
In the second half, Liverpool went through the gears and got better and better. Alexander-Arnold, with his wonderful range of passing, was always involved. Van Dijk gained confidence with each minute, aided by the unheralded Matip.
Roberto Firmino, on as a substitute, made sure of the points in the 65th minute when calmly finishing a pass from Salah, while the Egyptian wrapped things up late on with a left-footed drive that was gaining speed as it ripped into the net. He was smiling, Klopp was smiling, everyone in Red was smiling — and with good reason.
Liverpool have emerged powerfully and purposefully from the blocks. Norwich can be thankful they will not face opponents of this nature every week.