Having returned from Bordeaux with a point in the bag to kick off the Europa League campaign, Liverpool return to domestic action on Sunday afternoon against Norwich City.
The Canaries earned their first home win this term against Bournemouth last Saturday, and will be hoping to build on that positive result as they travel to an anxious Anfield.
Alex Neil’s side are directly above the Reds in the table, but the hosts go into the game as favourites and have a positive record against Norwich in recent years.
I spoke with Paddy Devitt, chief Norwich City writer for the Archant media group, and author of One Shot at Glory.
How much of a relief was it to get your first home win of the season last weekend?
Big just from the point of view of giving the fans that extra belief. Popular wisdom suggests the newly-promoted sides are always going to have to rely on home form to have a good crack at survival and they do need to make Carrow Road a difficult place to come. The fact it was another newly-promoted side in Bournemouth they beat and the manner of the win was a bonus.
Liverpool aren’t exactly in good nick at the moment; do you fancy your chances on Sunday?
If it was purely on current form, Norwich will travel with a degree of confidence but they’ve been absolutely mauled on Merseyside in recent years. I think the last City win at Anfield was 1994 and for all the perceived struggles, looking on from a distance, Rodgers still has some serious talent in that squad.
Luis Suarez not being around must make you feel slightly better about facing the Reds, right?
Ha. That’s an understatement. As I was saying above, 11 goals in five games, the first Red to score three league hat-tricks against the same opponent. Not to put too fine a point on it, the man was unplayable, particularly last time they went to Anfield in 2013. But then again, Christian Benteke used to have the hex over them for Aston Villa so we’ll see.
Brendan Rodgers has come under some scrutiny after recent results, what are your thoughts on him?
Nature of the game is managers get judged on the here and now, not what’s gone before. Two years ago when Suarez and Sterling were firing and they probably should have won the title I’m sure he was being feted inside and outside Liverpool. He looks a man under serious pressure now. I draw a parallel with Paul Lambert. Former Norwich manager who went onto Aston Villa and he just looked more and more weary with the whole thing before he was finally put out of his misery at Villa Park. I can see the signs with Rodgers.
How do you expect the Canaries to approach the game? All-out attack or looking to hit Liverpool on the break?
Interesting one. Alex Neil has this unbelievable away record since he came to the club in January this year. Last time out at Southampton (when they had a man sent off after 30 minutes) was his first competitive defeat on the road. That tells you he knows how to set-up a side to do a job. They have the players to do both but I don’t think you turn up at Anfield expecting to dictate possession and territory. Counter-attack for me.
Which current Liverpool player(s) do you fear most?
Christian Benteke. You look at the goal he scored out of nothing at Manchester United, his previous record against Norwich for Aston Villa, and the sense City’s centre-backs seem to routinely struggle with that big, physical, aerial presence.
Which Norwich player(s) should we be wary of?
If City are looking to hit on the counter, Nathan Redmond and perhaps Matt Jarvis and Robbie Brady will be key players. Redmond in particular has the pace and the direct threat to make life difficult and exploit any lack of pace in the Reds’ backline if he can isolate defenders.
Finally, let’s get a score prediction from you!
Norwich will know this game probably hinges on a solid start and cashing in on any signs of anxiety on the pitch and the terraces. But still a big ask to halt the Reds on their own turf. 2-1 home win.
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