Liverpool 4-1 Norwich: Newly promoted side overwhelmed at Anfield

Mohamed Salah (second left) has found the net in all five of his Premier League appearances on a Friday, scoring six goals times

Liverpool scored four first-half goals as they started the new Premier League season with a blistering performance to demolish newly-promoted Norwich City at Anfield.

Norwich captain Grant Hanley scored the opening goal of the top-flight season when he sliced Divock Origi’s cross into his own net before Mohamed Salah opened his account after a pass by Roberto Firmino.

German midfielder Marco Stipermann forced a fine save by Reds keeper Alisson before an unmarked Virgil van Dijk headed the third from Salah’s corner, Origi nodding the fourth after a stunning pass by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Teemu Pukki’s composed finish reduced the deficit after Liverpool lost Alisson to injury, the Brazil keeper replaced by new signing Adrian after slipping while taking a first-half goal-kick.

There was a carnival atmosphere at Anfield for Liverpool’s first home game since beating Tottenham in the Champions League final on 1 June and Jurgen Klopp’s side responded with a superb display.

They might have won by a more handsome margin as Tim Krul palmed Origi’s attempt on to the bar after making a brilliant save to keep out Firmino’s ferocious volley. Krul also did well to keep out Alexander-Arnold’s late free-kick.

No Reds hangover from last season’s failed title charge

Divock Origi (right) has now scored on every day of the week for Liverpool

Any fears Liverpool might be suffering a hangover after missing out to Manchester City by one point in the race for last season’s title were quickly dispelled as the Reds started their quest to win a first top-flight title in 30 years in style.

Supporters were looking for evidence Klopp’s team can go one step better than last season and, while bigger tests lie ahead, a thumping win against a team fresh out of the Championship is a decent start.

After a quiet summer in the transfer market, it was the same familiar faces on show including nine players who started the win over Spurs in Madrid in June.

Origi, who came off the bench to score in the Champions League final win, helped his side take the lead with a cross which ended in the back of the net after Hanley’s misfortune.

Salah doubled the lead with a trademark low angled finish after Firmino’s assist before Salah turned provider with the corner for Van Dijk to make it 3-0.

Liverpool were coasting and even after losing Alisson to injury they increased their advantage after Alexander-Arnold’s sublime pass allowed Origi to head the fourth goal.

On a night of positives for the home side, Joe Gomez came through his first league game of 2019 after recovering from a fractured leg.

Alisson gives Klopp cause for concern

Liverpool 4-1 Norwich: Alisson injury ‘big shadow’ over win – Jurgen Klopp

Klopp said he was worried about the injury suffered by Alisson, who was a key figure in Liverpool’s eye-catching 2018-19 season.

After slipping in front of the Kop, the Brazilian received treatment on the pitch before a stretcher was brought on.

Alisson eventually managed to get back to his feet and leave the field with help from a physio, but any prolonged absence would be a blow for Liverpool.

“With Alisson it is not good, but we will find a solution and move on,” Klopp told BBC Sport’s Match of the Day.

“He felt his calf. He looked behind him because he thought something hit him.”

The German added that the Brazilian would not feature in Wednesday’s Uefa Super Cup match against Chelsea.

Former West Ham keeper Adrian, brought in to replace the departed Simon Mignolet earlier in the week, made one fine save from Moritz Leitner before being beaten by Pukki.

Tough lesson for Norwich

Liverpool 4-1 Norwich: Daniel Farke ‘totally in love’ with Norwich team despite defeat

This was Norwich’s first Premier League game since losing 3-0 at Liverpool’s neighbours Everton in May 2016, having already been relegated. They fared no better on their return to Merseyside.

In truth, next week’s home game with Newcastle will provide a better gauge of how the Canaries will fare this season.

Despite the scoreline, Norwich caused Liverpool’s defence problems and Pukki’s lovely finish after Emiliano Buendia’s pass at least provoked some gallows humour from Norwich’s travelling fans.

“One-nil in the second half,” was the defiant song that rang out.

Norwich have been busy in the transfer market and although none of their new recruits started at Anfield, expect that to change when they return to Carrow Road next week.

Man of the match – Divock Origi (Liverpool)

Mohamed Salah had a fine performance but Origi just about edged it as he marked his start ahead of Sadio Mane with a goal and an assist

Hernandez makes Premier League history – the stats

Liverpool have scored 15 goals in their four opening day Premier League matches under manager Jürgen Klopp (W3 D1 L0), netting four times in their first match of the league season in consecutive seasons for the first time in their entire history.
Norwich have won their first match of the league season in just one of the last 17 seasons (W1 D8 L8).
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League games against Norwich (W11 D2 L0), scoring 43 goals across those games, including at least four goals in five of their last seven meetings.
Salah has scored in Liverpool’s first Premier League match in each of the last three seasons (2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20).
The first goal of the Premier League season was an own-goal for only the second time – the other occasion was in 2015-16, when Kyle Walker’s own-goal was the only goal in Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Spurs.
Pukki has scored with his first shot on target in each of the last eight league seasons (across Schalke 04, Celtic, Brondby IF and Norwich careers); a record stretching back to the start of 2012-13.
Liverpool scored three goals in the opening half-hour of a Premier League game for the first time since February 2014, when they were 4-0 up after 20 minutes against Arsenal.
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold became the first player to register an assist in five consecutive Premier League appearances since Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil in 2015 and is one of only eight players in Premier League history to do so.
Norwich Onel Hernandez became the first Cuban player in the Premier League, with Cuba the 114th different nationality represented in Premier League history.

What’s next?

Liverpool are off to Istanbul to face Chelsea in the Uefa Super Cup on Wednesday (20:00 BST) while Norwich have a full week to prepare for the visit of Newcastle United to Carrow Road on 17 August (15:00).