Liverpool cruised to their first win of the new season, beating Norwich City 4-1. However, the joy of victory was dampened by an injury to Alisson Becker late in the first half. The Brazilian ‘keeper was able to leave the pitch without the use of a stretcher, leaving fans hopeful of a speedy recovery.
Liverpool Smash Norwich Despite Alisson Injury
First Half
The match had hardly gotten underway when Divock Origi‘s cross was halfway kicked and halfway deflected into the Norwich goal by Grant Hanley. Despite this early setback, the Canaries did well to fight back.
By the time Mohamed Salah made it 2-0 in the 19th minute, Norwich were out-shooting the Reds. While none of their three early efforts troubled the Liverpool net, they were the result of hard work.
Daniel Farke’s men bravely held a high line and forced a few early turnovers in possession. The press stifled Jurgen Klopp’s side attack save for a few cases of excellent passing play.
When Salah broke in and slotted home past Tim Krul, however, the flood gates opened. From there the home side took control of the match and kept the visitors on their back feet.
Norwich were penned back into their own half for much of the remainder of the first 45. Virgil van Dijk headed home a third goal in the 28th minute to all but secure the win.
Alisson Becker attempted a routine goal kick with less than ten minutes until the interval. He slipped on the play and could not continue. Liverpool hearts froze momentarily as the stretcher came out, but the Brazilian shot-stopper managed to leave the pitch under his own power.
Adrian coming on did nothing to stymie the onslaught, however, and Origi headed the fourth past Krul in the 42nd minute after a terrific cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Second Half
The onslaught continued in the second half. In the first fifteen minutes after the restart, Liverpool had chances through Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, Andy Robertson and Fabinho.
Despite being besieged, the Norwich defence was able to fend off the attack. After the 60th minute, the Canaries even relieved a bit of the pressure and managed to get the ball into Liverpool’s half.
Then, completely against the run of play, Teemu Pukki got on the end of a through ball and slotted a shot past Adrian. The goal slowed Liverpool somewhat and they were unable to make very many clear-cut chances for about ten minutes.
Despite this, Norwich did not look like scoring a second. The introduction of Sadio Mane in the 74th minute got a rise out of the crowd and got Klopp a few decent runs on the left flank.
Both sides exchanged a handful of chances in the late stages of the match. Alexander-Arnold was responsible for the pick of the bunch with an 83rd-minute free-kick that was heading straight for the top corner had it not been for the outstretched gloves of Tim Krul.
The win was an expected one but the injury to Alisson Becker was, of course, not. While the fact that he did not need a stretcher to exit the field of play, it will certainly trouble Jurgen Klopp should Alisson need an extended recovery period.
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