'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
A well-taken, swatted strike from Sadio Mane completed a hard-fought victory for Liverpool over Norwich City, stretching the gap between themselves and Manchester City to a whopping 25 points.
It was also their 25th win of the season, with just under half of them being sealed through a one-goal margin. They simply look immortal; a piece of innovation that keeps on producing and swirling results out.
They may not be imperious in terms of going out there and running over teams, but the overall clutch, focus and demonstration of workaholic footballing activity on the pitch makes the Reds what they are.
As for the Canaries, they must win more matches to survive, than Liverpool need to get their hands on the title. In what appeared as a 6-1-2 formation off the ball, Daniel Farke's men held the courses tight against their opponents but came just short despite a gritty fight.
On that note, we analyse five players who experienced contrasting fortunes at Carrow Road in the visitors' 1-0 triumph over Norwich.
#5 Hit: Naby Keita
On the back of a sustained spell of pressure on relegation-threatened Norwich, Alexander-Arnold flung in a corner to the near post in the 66th minute. It was easily dealt by a yellow shirt, and Teemu Pukki broke away with Todd Cantwell and Ondrej Duda in comforting distance.
Just as it looked like the highly positioned centre-halves, alongside the ever-present assailants in Robertson and Alexander-Arnold, were in danger, there was a certain Naby Keita sprinting 30 yards back to ultimately wrestle and uproot the counter.
That pretty much summed up Keita's evening. He may not be a solid baseline in the middle, but the midfielder's work ethic, effervescence and presence in and around the Norwich attackers was highly praiseworthy.
The 25-year-old linked up down the left with the likes of Robertson and later, Mane to facilitate regular throw-downs at the home side's defence. He popped up in the box on a couple of occasions as well, while also testing the jump of Tim Krul from distance.
Also read: Liverpool Transfer News: Reds in regular contact with Timo Werner's agent
# Flop: Mohamed Salah
There was an obvious statement of involvement from Mohamed Salah throughout the game, but he largely played away from the best we've seen of him.
Mainly, it was the Egyptian's touch that let him down. Every single time he got in beyond the opposition defensive line, he failed to gather the ball as he'd have liked or pick a pass. Salah was often guilty of dribbling more than required in a system that effectuated on passing.
He wasn't there to finish off final balls, and when he did find an opportunity or a clear sight of goal, the 27-year-old couldn't pervade an empty space. Rather, he failed to sort his feet out and most of the times, saw his effort blocked.
On the overall note, Salah looked far more rusty, blunt and lean on an evening where Liverpool had to work their way through a packed Norwich defence. He could have, and should have, picked out passes better as well.
#3 Hit: Tim Krul
For most part of the game, and surely throughout the course of the season, Tim Krul has remained one of Norwich City's best performers in a rather torrid return to the PL.
The veteran shot-stopper was there to organise a six-man backline, with the main idea of choking the Liverpool full-backs for space and thereby drawing the wingers wider than they usually prefer to run the show from. Krul made a couple of smart saves, also offering the extra shout during corners to get the angles and man-marking right.
But none other than his double save - a moment that defied human reflexes and laws of elasticity - caught the eye. Perhaps, keeping in mind the context and battle, it was a greater moment than Mane's goal itself.
The Dutchman, in front of his onlooking national team coach, stretched brilliantly to his left to parry away a close-range Salah effort, before rising back in a split second and then smothering Keita from three yards out.
Also read: 5 things we have learnt about Liverpool so far this season
#2 Flop: Christoph Zimmermann
Up until Mane's goal, Christoph Zimmermann was arguably having the game of his life. The German was there mopping everything thrown at his side.
For instance, the second half was when Liverpool really upped the ante. Zimmermann was there, dragged out of his spot, to prevent Mane dropping his shoulder and sprinting away. He was there to slide in and prevent a Salah through pass. Every single time Alexander-Arnold whipped the ball in, he was there to send it back from the same direction it arrived.
But football, as they say, is a cruel game. Zimmermann completely switched off as Mane darted inside just when Jordan Henderson picked his head up. It was a stunning run, but a centre-back of his size and stature should have dealt with it much better.
There was a visible lack of communication - something one simply cannot afford to do against of the most proactive teams in the land. There was a supposed push from the goalscorer, but that was certainly not as imposing as the Canaries defender made it look.
#1 Hit: Sadio Mane
It's quite difficult to remember the last time Liverpool pocketed three points in a Premier League game without a needy goal from either one or more of their talismanic trio up front.
Firmino's touches were sublime but he perhaps didn't carry his finishing boots, while Salah as discussed above, lacked a sense of sharpness on most aspects. The crosses, lobs and balls over the top were being dealt by.
And just then, when the away end begins to deafen the crowd despite the side missing a killer pass, up steps Sadio Mane; almost as if everybody inside Carrow Road knew someone from the champions-elect is going to find a way.
The ball over the top - in between the Norwich centre-halves - was launched ample times without much success. Firmino got at the end of a copybook lob from the heart of midfield but saw the ball cleared just before he could get it into his arc.
Mane, however, portrayed that his teammates and himself aren't there to mess about. The strength, composure, posture while receiving the pass and lastly the venom behind a strike that was cannoned with little backlift, was simply sublime for a player who hasn't been among the minutes of late.
