Reds travel to Carrow Road in Top vs Bottom clash

In their first match after the winter break, Champions elect Liverpool take on Championship elect Norwich City in East Anglia.

And perhaps Norwich aren’t quaking in their boots as much as usual without the name of Luis Suarez on the team sheet.

But with 24 out of 25 on the board, 73 points from 75, and the most feared front three on the planet, the Canaries may not feel as comfortable as once thought.

The last time Liverpool visited Norwich was their 5-4 win back in 2016, a game which saw Steven Caulker come on as a substitute for Liverpool and Adam Lallana score a 96th minute winner. But on the opening day 19/20, the Reds tore the visitors apart by four goals to one.

The hosts on this occasion, Daniel Farke’s City, have flourished at times this season but in the long run, the Premier League is slightly too much for his small and inexperienced squad.

The likes of Max Aarons, Teemu Pukki and Jamal Lewis have shone at points this season. But it hasn’t been good enough thus far, and this will be their biggest test of the lot so far.

Team news

Norwich will only be without centre halves Timm Klose via long term injury, and Ben Godfrey through suspension – all other players are expected to be fit.

For the first time in a long while, and this is excluding Xherdan Shaqiri and Nathaniel Clyne; Liverpool have a clean bill of health. James Milner and Sadio Mane are fit, but rumours are that one of the fullbacks, Trent Alexander-Arnold of Andy Robertson, will be rested for the tie against Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday.

From the Dugout:

Daniel Farke – “It’s a free shot!”

“There is always hope. Everything can happen in one game,

“In 20 games, Liverpool will probably win the most, but our game against Man City showed that when we are good at our topics, we can beat them.

“Liverpool are on fire and the best team in the world. We need an outstanding performance and spirit to have a chance – but if we are, then we do (have a chance).

“It’s like a free shot tomorrow because we have to deliver in the following 11 games.

“It would be great to get one or three points tomorrow but we also want to enjoy it.”

Jurgen Klopp – Norwich ‘not easy’

“We are before the Norwich game and question two or three and they haven’t been mentioned. We have not spoken about anything else, we have prepared for this game.

“It is the most important game of our lives. People think it will be easy, it won’t.

“This league is so strong but I really admire their principles. The game in August is a good example for their season, good football, super coaching, you can see it all.

“They caused 95 per cent of teams problems. This club really sticks together and in a good moment.”

Head-to-head

Norwich Wins – 14

Draws – 15

Liverpool Wins – 36