Norwich unlucky but Mane impact enough for Reds victory

Sadio Mane’s late strike proved decisive for table toppers Liverpool against basement side Norwich City.

After the postponement of Manchester City’s fixture last weekend, Liverpool took advantage of the opportunity to go 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The hosts lined up with new signings Lukas Rupp and Ondrej Duda, with Emiliano Buendia and Jamal Lewis left on the bench.

The Reds made the change to incorporate a return of Guinean skipper Naby Keita, with best friend Sadio Mane on the bench after he suffered an injury before the winter break.

Mane, who replaced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the hour mark, made a decisive impact to score his 100th goal in English football, and his 75th for Liverpool.

The Senegalese international brought down Jordan Henderson’s lofted ball forward to spin and volley beyond Tim Krul with 12 minutes remaining.

The goal broke down a resilient Norwich who should’ve gone in front during the first half, if it wasn’t for the brilliance of Alisson Becker to paw away a square pass from Rupp to Teemu Pukki.

The result gave Liverpool their 17th straight league win, whilst Norwich remain seven from safety.

Norwich City: Krul; Aarons, Hanley, Zimmermann, Byram (Lewis 27); Rupp (Buendia 83), Cantwell, McLean, Tettey (Drmic 84), Duda; Pukki

Unused substitutes: Fahrmann, Godfrey, Vrancic, Hernandez

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum (Fabinho 60), Keita (Milner 84); Salah, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Mane 60), Firmino

Unused substitutes: Adrian, Lovren, Lallana, Origi