Liverpool opens their 2019-20 English Premier League campaign at home against the newly-promoted Norwich City. The Reds take on the Canaries at Anfield on August 9, 2019.
Liverpool needs no introduction. It is one of the most popular and well-supported football teams in the world. They are also one of the Managed by one of the best managers in the world in Jurgen Klopp, the Reds won a sixth UEFA Champions League title this year after making the finals for the second consecutive season. Liverpool finished second in the 2018-19 Premier League table with just one loss and a total of 97 points, the most by any second placer. Still, it wasn’t enough to end the drought. The Reds are 18-time English champions but have not won since 1990.
Here is Liverpool’s squad, updated as of July 15, 2019:
1 GKAlisson Becker, 2 DF Nathaniel Clyne, 3 MF Fabinho, 4 DF Virgil van Dijk (third-captain), 5 MF Georginio Wijnaldum (fourth-captain), 6 DF Dejan Lovren, 7 MF James Milner (vice-captain), 8 MF Naby Keïta, 9 FW Roberto Firmino, 10 FW Sadio Mané, 11 FW Mohamed Salah, 12 DFJoe Gomez, 14 MFJordan Henderson (captain), 15 MF Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 20 MF Adam Lallana, 22 GK Simon Mignolet, 23 MF Xherdan Shaqiri, 24 FW Rhian Brewster, 26 DF Andrew Robertson, 27 FW Divock Origi, 32 DF Joel Matip, 40 MF Ryan Kent, 47 DF Nathaniel Phillips, 48 MF Curtis Jones, 53 MF Ovie Ejaria, 58 MF Ben Woodburn, 59 MF Harry Wilson, 62 GK Caoimhin Kelleher, 66 DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 68 MF Pedro Chirivella, 72 DF Sepp van den Berg, FW Taiwo Awoniyi
Norwich City reaped the fruits of their rebuilding during the last term. It can be recalled that in 2017, the club appointed German bench tactician Daniel Farke as head coach, making him their first foreign head coach in their 114-year history. Under Farke, Norwich City began playing a fast-paced and possession-focused style of play which was reminiscent of the Dortmund side he previously coached. And after finishing just 14th in 2018, they won the Championship with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa to make a return to the Premiership after three seasons. Teemu Pukki led the Canaries in scoring and helped the team sit on top of the table for most of the previous term.
This is the Norwich City squad as of July 15, 2019:
1 GK Tim Krul, 2 DF Max Aarons, 3 DF Sam Byram, 4 DF Ben Godfrey, 5 DF Grant Hanley (captain), 6 DF Christoph Zimmerman, 7 MF Patrick Roberts (on loan from Manchester City), 8 MF Mario Vrancic, 10 MF Moritz Leitner, 11 Onel Hernandez, 12 DF Jamal Lewis, 14 MF Todd Cantwell, 15 DF Timm Klose, 16 DF Philip Heise, 17 MF Buendia, 18 MF Marco Steipermann, MF Tom Trybull, 20 FW Josip Drmic, 21 GK Ralf Fahrmann, 22 FW Teemu Pukki, 23 Kenny McLean, 27 MF Alexander Tettey, 32 Dennis Srbeny, 33 GK Michael McGovern, 34 MF Louis Thompson, 35 FW Adam Idah, GK Aston Oxborough, MF Ben Marshall
Liverpool a huge betting favorite against Norwich City. They have won nine out of their last 10 matches played. The Reds have won their last five games played at home. Norwich City is unbeaten in its last 10 matches. The Canaries They have three wins and two draws in their last five games played. Head, to head, Liverpool has won eight out of the last 10 meetings against Norwich. The Reds have also won their last five meetings at Anfield.
Liverpool averaged 2.9 goals per game in their last 10 Premier League matches. In the last six months, the Reds have won 19 and drawn 1 of their last 25 matches in the Premier League. On the other hand, Norwich City have scored 21 goals and conceded only 12 in their previous 10 matches. The Canaries have won 11 and lost 1 Premier League matches over the past six months.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were unbeaten at Anfield in this competition and 11 out of their 17 wins came without conceding a goal. Liverpool was close to winning the last term and ending their title drought They will be very eager to hit the ground running as they aim to topple Manchester City’s rule.
This has got to be considered as Norwich City’s baptism of fire. They can look back at their last exploits against Liverpool four years ago when they ended up with a 1-1 tie at Anfield but lost 4-5 at Carrow Road. I think the Reds have too much experience and the better manpower at this level to win this match. I’m picking Liverpool to beat Norwich City on 8/9/19.
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