Liverpool advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup after hammering Championship side Norwich City 5-2 on Sunday afternoon.
FA Cup
Result: Liverpool 5-2 Norwich City
Date: 28 January 2024
Venue: Anfield
Liverpool made five changes following their 1-1 draw against Fulham in the EFL semi-final second-leg, as goalkeeper Alisson, Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota and 19-year-old midfielder James McConnell were all brought in.
The Reds had a bright start after Darwin Nunez came close to giving them the lead on 11 minutes with a shot that came off the post.
Jones eventually opened the scoring for Jurgen Klopp's charges five minutes later with a low header at the near post after a cross by McConnell.
Norwich were fired up after going behind and Benjamin Gibson quickly levelled matters midway into the first stanza with a header from a corner.
However, Nunez restored the lead for Liverpool just before the half-hour mark, as he made no mistake after latching onto a pass in the box.
The Reds were in control of the game after that but they were not in hurry to create chances as they went to the break with a 2-1 lead.
The hosts, however, were forcing matters from the break as Jota gave them a two-goal cushion eight minutes into the second stanza with a strike after he latched into a loose ball in the box.
Klopp already locked the game just before the hour-mark with the introduction of Virgil Van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai, who both replaced Konate and Jones.
The two substitutes combined for Liverpool's fourth goal moments later after Van Dijk powered home a header from Szoboszlai's corner-kick.
Borja Sainz gave Norwich hope, as he pulled a goal back in the last 21 minutes with a long range strike that gave Alisson no chance.
The Reds were threatening to run rampant in the closing stages, as Ryan Gravenberch came close to making it 5-2 with a strike from a rebound that produced great reflexes from shot-stopper George Long who kept his shot out of the bottom corner.
Gravenberch added a fifth foal for Liverpool in second-half stoppage time with a fine header as Klopp's men progressed to the fifth round while City were eliminated.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
