Following their Carabao Cup triumph over Chelsea at the weekend, Liverpool will resume their FA Cup campaign with a fifth-round tie against Norwich City at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
The Reds won a historic ninth EFL Cup on Sunday by defeating Chelsea in a riveting penalty shootout. They will enter the midweek contest as heavy favourites.
Norwich City, meanwhile, most recently lost 2-0 to Southampton in the Premier League and remain rock bottom on the table. Dean Smith’s side know they will need to come up with something spectacular to stun Liverpool in Merseyside and advance into the FA Cup quarterfinals.
Liverpool
Thiago Alcantara missed the Carabao Cup final after picking up a late knock during the warm-up, so he will be out, along with Roberto Firmino, who remains on the treatment table with a muscular injury.
Jurgen Klopp is certain to shuffle the pack extensively after 120 intense minutes at Wembley. But penalty shootout hero Caoimhin Kelleher is likely to keep his place in goal.
There would be changes in defence, with Ibrahima Konate coming in to provide Virgil van Dijk with a much-needed rest. Joel Matip should slot in at centre-back and Joe Gomez gets the nod at right-back. Kostas Tsimikas is expected to replace Andrew Robertson at left-back.
James Milner may get deployed in a deeper midfield role against the Canaries. The other two midfield spots could be filled by Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliot. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a fine option to start on the right flank, with Takumi Minamino on the left.
As Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane are expected to be rested, Divock Origi appears to be the likely choice to lead the Reds attack against Norwich City.
Norwich City
As for the visitors, they will be without Adam Idah, Andrew Omobamidele, as well as Grant Hanley, who is suspended after being booked in the third and fourth rounds of the competition.
Brandon Williams and Max Aarons are doubts having not trained since picking up knocks at the weekend, while Ozan Kabak is struggling with a shoulder problem. But there are chances of Jacob Sorensen returning from his knee injury to provide some solidity to Dean Smith’s midfield.
Angus Gunn looks likely to keep his place in goal for the Canaries. Dean Smith could go with a backline consisting of Sam Byram, Christoph Zimmermann, Ben Gibson and Dimitris Giannoulis to try and stop the Liverpool juggernaut.
Mathias Normann may keep his place in the holding midfield role; Kenny McLean and Pierre Lees-Melou will join the Norwegian in the middle of the park as they look to keep Liverpool’s dynamic midfielders quiet.
Milot Rashica would be a creative threat from the left-wing with his ability to go past players and pick out passes in the box, while Josh Sargent would attempt to get back his scoring touch from the opposite flank. Leading the Norwich attack would be none other than Teemu Pukki, who is not in the best goal-scoring touch of late, though.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Caoimhin Kelleher; Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas; Harvey Elliott, James Milner, Curtis Jones; Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Divock Origi, Takumi Minamino
Norwich City Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Angus Gunn; Sam Byram, Christoph Zimmermann, Ben Gibson, Dimitris Giannoulis; Kenny McLean, Mathias Normann, Pierre Lees-Melou; Josh Sargent, Teemu Pukki, Milot Rashica
Liverpool—Takumi Minamino
Takumi Minamino had scored in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Cardiff City in the fourth round of the FA Cup. In what is expected to be a much-changed Reds side on Wednesday, the Japanese wide forward will have the extra responsibility to deliver the goods and help the team reach the next round smoothly.
Norwich City—Josh Sargent
Despite Norwich’s struggles, Josh Sargent has been a bright spot this season and continues to do his bit. With the Canaries heading to Anfield to pull off arguably the biggest shock in the FA Cup competition, the American would be raring to make an impact.
Prediction: Liverpool 4-1 Norwich City
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