Liverpool’s pursuit of what Jürgen Klopp insists is an unlikely quadruple goes on, though progress into the FA Cup quarter-finals was more complicated than it should have been. The Carabao Cup winners were comfortably in the ascendency against Norwich courtesy of a Takumi Minamino double until Lukas Rupp’s goal brought anxiety to Anfield. Liverpool saw victory out, however, to record an 11th successive win for the first time in 15 years.
Jordan Henderson was the only member of Sunday’s starting line-up to retain his place as Klopp made 10 changes for the fifth round tie. James Milner made his 50th appearance in the FA Cup, with the 36-year-old’s inclusion at right-back underlining his value to Liverpool yet again. Smith also rang the changes, seven from Friday’s defeat at Southampton, and understandably bemoaned a fixture schedule that placed an onerous burden on Norwich fans for the fourth meeting of the season between the teams. “It is too late for the away fans to travel and to be expected to travel back,” said the Norwich manager, although roughly 1,000 Norwich supporters did journey to Merseyside for an 8.15pm kick-off. The sheer magic of it all.
The away fans witnessed a committed performance laced with an occasional threat from their makeshift team, but mainly the dominance and goal threat that Liverpool exert whenever they meet. Milner was prominent on the right flank, assuming the elder Trent Alexander-Arnold role with several dangerous crosses and readiness to join the attack, and Curtis Jones went close to reprising his FA Cup winning goal against Everton from two years ago with a curled effort from the corner of the visitors’ area. The midfielder’s shot sailed beyond Tim Krul only to kiss the top of his crossbar.
Teemu Pukki had Norwich’s best opening of the first half after a sharp turn and run at the Liverpool defence by Przemyslaw Placheta. Milner cut out his attempt to send Milot Rashica through on goal but the ball broke to Pukki who, from a tight angle, dragged a shot wide of Alisson and the far post.
Norwich had defended with discipline and organisation but were undone when Liverpool switched play swiftly from right to left through Henderson and Jones. Kostas Tsimikas chipped a cross into a crowded penalty area where Diogo Jota dummied for Divock Origi, who showed neat control and the awareness to pick out the unmarked Minamino. The Japan international could not and did not miss, beating Krul with a powerful close-range finish. It was the 750th goal of Klopp’s 360-game Liverpool reign.
Minamino claimed his and Liverpool’s second when Klopp’s masters of the set piece struck again, albeit with the aid of Ben Gibson. The Norwich captain got his head to a corner from Tsimikas but succeeded only in glancing it on to the Liverpool forward. Minamino, again unmarked at the back post, had time to take the ball down before beating Krul with a shot that swerved from the outside of his right boot and in off the inside of the near post.
The Liverpool goalscorer was an unused substitute at Wembley but his contribution to both domestic cup runs this season has been impressive.
Minamino scored four goals in Liverpool’s victorious Carabao Cup campaign, including the vital stoppage time equaliser against Leicester in the quarter-final, and also scored in the FA Cup fourth round win over Cardiff. He may get a second bite at Wembley on Liverpool’s current form.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain almost maintained Liverpool’s record of scoring three in every game against Norwich this season when, having wriggled his way into space outside the area, his low shot cannoned off the foot of a post. Klopp had replaced Jones with Harvey Elliott at the interval due to the midfielder suffering a reported thigh injury.
Smith was also forced into a substitution when Placheta fell awkwardly over the advertising hoardings at the end of the first half after a tussle with Tsimikas. The winger received lengthy treatment during the interval before eventually limping away. His replacement, Josh Sargent, had an excellent chance to inject hope into Norwich’s night but, diving to meet a deep cross from Dimitris Giannoulis, the USA international headed wide.
The second half was a pedestrian affair with both teams appearing to declare at 2-0 when Lukas Rupp suddenly threw a lifeline to the visitors. Sargent’s run and pass through central midfield created the opening and, with Joe Gomez backing off, the Norwich midfielder swept a finish past Alisson from 20 yards. Substitute Jonathan Rowe was close to equalising with five minutes remaining when he broke away from Milner only for Alisson to tip away his rising drive towards the top corner.