Premier League 2019-20: 3 reasons why Liverpool beat Norwich City

Last season's Premier League runner-ups Liverpool played Norwich City at Anfield in what was the opening fixture of the new Premier League season, and the home side ended up winning the game 4-1.

Jurgen Klopp started with the same team that played against Manchester City in the Community Shield, while Daniel Farke's team was spearheaded by last season's Championship top scorer Teemu Pukki.

Sadio Mane, who was a doubt for this fixture, was on the bench and got some minutes later on in the game. The match itself was end-to-end as Norwich weren't holding back and were attacking with some flair, but Liverpool were hurting them on the counter.

Norwich conceded an own goal through Grant Hanley very early into the match and Mohamed Salah soon doubled the lead. Virgil van Dijk and Divock Origi scored the third and the fourth goals respectively, before the away side got a consolation goal through their talisman Pukki.

All in all, it was a pretty entertaining game of football. Here, we take a look at the three reasons why Liverpool beat Norwich:

#3 Jurgen Klopp's team selection and Liverpool's high pressing

After the Community Shield loss, many Liverpool fans wanted Klopp to play a different midfield as Georginio Wijnaldum didn't play that well against Manchester City. But Klopp stuck with his players and it is fair to say, they performed really well.

Liverpool FC v Norwich City - Premier League

The reason Jordan Henderson is so important for this team is that he works incredibly hard off the ball. He alongside Roberto Firmino are Liverpool's best pressers and they showed it today, doing the dirty work so others profit from it.

Norwich were looking to play out from the back and that somewhat played into Liverpool's hands. The home side's pressing caused Norwich many problems, their second goal was testament to that.

The away side didn't learn though and continued playing out from the back, which meant they were haunted by Liverpool's press throughout the game.

#2 Norwich City's defenders made it too easy for Liverpool

On a night when Daniel Farke would have wanted his team to defend well, the Norwich City defenders let their manager down and made it too easy for Liverpool. The first goal from Liverpool summed up Norwich's whole night: a smashed-in cross from the left side which should have been dealt with easily, ended in the back of the net through a deflection from Hanley when he had no pressure on him.

The third goal scored from the home side would have angered Farke as it was from a corner whipped in by Mohamed Salah and headed in from Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman didn't even have to jump for it.

The fourth goal was also too simple as Trent Alexander-Arnold picked out Origi in the box unmarked, and the Belgian headed it in.

Norwich seem to have some attacking flair in them but they absolutely have to improve defensively.

#1 Liverpool's potency in front of goal in the first half

In the first half, it was clear that Norwich weren't holding back and were looking to attack. They did create some decent opportunities too, but Liverpool were very clinical with the chances they got, especially in the first half. Aside from the first goal, every other one was brilliantly finished.

Mohamed Salah's first goal of this season - and Liverpool's second on the night - was a classic case of efficient finishing. The Egyptian was found by Firmino in a very tight corner and Salah showed his quality by taking a touch and placing it into the bottom corner.

Liverpool's third from Van Dijk was another great piece of work as the Dutchman headed it downwards and into the back of the net.

Also, Origi's finish wasn't easy at all as he received a cross from Alexander-Arnold almost at the edge of the box, and smacked it in with a first-time header.

Basically, the Reds sealed the game in the first 40 minutes and from there on, it was all about saving energy.

Edited by Musab Abid