Fifth Round – Liverpool vs Norwich – Sport Grill

Liverpool look to avoid a cupset as Jurgen Klopp’s Reds host Norwich City at Anfield in Fifth Round of 2021-22 FA Cup.

Liverpool are looking to reach the Quarter-Finals for the first time under Jurgen Klopp, having failed to do so in six attempts under the German after last featuring in the last eight in 2014-15 season under Brendan Rogers.

Norwich meanwhile are chasing a second Quarter-Final appearance in three seasons.

Team News

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Thiago Alcantara is ruled out for Liverpool after he withdrew from Sunday’s victorious Carabao Cup Final with a calf injury suffered during warm-up.

Roberto Firmino (muscle) remains absent.

Norwich could welcome Jacob Sorensen back after a knee injury kept the midfielder out for the last month.

Ozan Kabak (shoulder), Max Aarons and Brandon Williams (both knocks) are considered doubtful, especially with manager – Dean Smith looking ahead to Saturday’s must-win league match against Brentford.

Adam Idah (knee) and Andrew Omobamidele (back) remain ruled out.

Stat Attack

• Liverpool have lost three of six previous clashes against Norwich across five previous FA Cup ties (W2, D1, L3).
• Norwich have won one of three previous FA Cup visits to Anfield (W1, L2).
• This is the first FA Cup tie between Liverpool and Norwich to be played this century and also in the month of March as well.
• Liverpool are unbeaten in three of four FA Cup ties at home against Premier League opposition since Klopp became their manager in October 2015 (W2, D1, L1).
• Norwich have won just one of their last five away FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition (W1, D2, L2)

Prediction

Having won the Carabao Cup title on Sunday, Liverpool certainly will be eager to chase a cup double so I am expecting them to bring their aggressive attacking press to this match, yet their central defence were outran at times by Chelsea especially in extra time so fatigue might be key.

Norwich meanwhile were defensively sloppy at Southampton with poor marking and closing down gaps, whilst their fight for possession was toothless on top of wasted chances in attack so huge improvement is needed here ahead of Saturday’s crunch league clash against Brentford.

Liverpool though will very likely ring the changes within their line-up after being taken the distance on Sunday, which should offer Norwich hope of a cupset given that they were last in action on Friday but I still fancy the Reds to win here.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Norwich

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