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The Premier League 2019/20 season began on Saturday as Liverpool played the newly promoted side Norwich City at Anfield and won the game quite comprehensively by a margin of 4-1. The first goal on the day was an own goal from Grant Hanley, while Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Divock Origi scored the second, third and fourth goal respectively for the Reds. For Norwich, the only goal was scored by Teemu Pukki.
In the first half, Liverpool started brightly as they pressed Norwich very high. The first goal had the luck factor to it as Andrew Robertson found Origi on the left side and the Belgian's cross deflected off Hanley into the back of the net. Norwich, on the other hand, weren't holding back as Teemu Pukki had a few good opportunities that couldn't be converted into anything substantial. The home side soon doubled their lead through Salah's brilliant finish.
Around the 28th minute, Liverpool tripled their lead as Salah found van Dijk's head from a corner. Liverpool ended the half 4-0 up, the fourth goal headed in by Origi. The only negative coming out of that half was Alisson Becker's injury, who was then replaced by the new signing Adrian.
The second half of the match followed a similar pattern of play as Liverpool were attacking with intent and getting many shots away at goal but Tim Krul, the Norwich keeper, was keeping the home side at bay. Around the 64th minute, Pukki pulled one back for Norwich with a great finish. The match ended 4-1 on the day and in the end, it was an easy win for Liverpool.
In this slideshow, we are going to take a look at the three talking points from the game.
#3 Alisson Becker's injury the only negative in a rather easy win
Liverpool's win against Norwich was quite straight forward but in a night full of positives, Alisson's injury left a sour taste among the Reds' supporters. While taking a goal kick, last season's Golden Glove winner slipped and hurt his leg. He was substituted immediately and was replaced by the new signing Adrian.
Signed on a free transfer, the former West Ham goalkeeper had an unexpected return to the limelight as he came in to replace one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Jurgen Klopp would really hope that his Brazilian shot-stopper doesn't face a lengthy period on the sidelines and returns very soon. Here's wishing for a speedy recovery.
#2 Norwich were attacking with flair but had problems defensively
At the start of the game, it was clear that the Norwich City manager Daniel Farke wanted his team to play the way they won the Championship last season, with attacking flair. They did that, but the problem wasn't their attack, it was their defence. They conceded the first one in under 10 minutes and it was a dreadful own goal from Hanley.
They were creating chances on the other end, though, as Pukki - last season's top scorer of the Championship - had a few decent opportunities but he wasn't clinical enough. Around the 18th minute, Norwich conceded again as Salah scored after they carelessly lost the ball in midfield. The third one would have hurt Farke the most as it was almost too easy for Liverpool. It came from a corner taken by Salah and headed in by an unmarked van Dijk.
The first half ended with the away side 4-0 down as Origi scored with another header. Farke would have been fuming at the space his team were giving and they didn't really improve at the start of the second half as Tim Krul made some outstanding saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
Norwich did get better as the second half wore on and they got a consolation goal through Pukki and it was a very well-worked goal. Farke's team simply have to improve defensively as they weren't good enough in the opening game of the season.
#1 Liverpool up and running as they gear up for another title challenge
Last season in the Premier League, we saw the title being decided with just a one-point difference. Liverpool started this season knowing that they have to hit the ground running and they did exactly that. The home side's potency in front of goal cannot be faulted as they converted almost every opportunity they got.
Salah was the pick of the players, especially in the first half as his finish for Liverpool's second was absolutely exquisite, while he also got an assist for van Dijk's goal. His teammate Roberto Firmino was at his usual best and was at the heart of everything the Reds were doing in the attack, and he got an assist for all his work. Origi played really well on the left-wing as the own goal from Norwich was due to a cross from the Belgian and he also got himself a goal.
Liverpool didn't keep a clean sheet though as Norwich did get a goal through Pukki but all in all, it was a great display from Liverpool. They have set the standard on the opening day of the brand new Premier League season.
