LIVERPOOL fans are still reeling from the shock news Jurgen Klopp is beginning his farewell tour and it will be fascinating to see how the players respond in this FA Cup tie with Norwich City.
Friday's announcement that the German will step down at the end of this campaign came as a massive surprise given his new-look team is flying and chasing down another quadruple.
The Anfield side's last attempt at a clean sweep came up just short two seasons ago as they lifted both domestic cups but stumbled on the final day in the Premier League and Champions League.
That disappointment led to a hangover last term as the Reds finished without a major trophy and outside the top four but they have roared back to life this season thanks to a summer revamp from Klopp.
A four-goal demolition of Bournemouth last weekend sent Liverpool five points clear at the top of the Premier League while a midweek draw at Fulham booked their spot in the Carabao Cup Final.
Liverpool could also end up at Wembley in the FA Cup, although Championship side Norwich City will relish the chance to cause an FA Cup upset on Merseyside.
The Canaries have been a yo-yo club in the last decade, dipping in and out of the top flight, and sit just two points outside the play-off spots at the midway stage of this Championship campaign.
A run of five games without defeat ended last weekend as former boss Daniel Farke led his Leeds United side to a 1-0 victory over Norwich at Elland Road.
But Carrow Road gaffer David Wagner shouldn't have any problem lifting his players for this FA Cup tie as they head to Anfield looking to steal the spotlight away from Klopp.
How the bookies view it
It's no surprise to see Liverpool as heavy favourites at home to a team from the Championship. They are just 1/33 with Bet365 to reach the next round and the odds only increase to 1/7 with the same firm for a win in 90 minutes. Norwich are 14/1 to go through and SkyBet make them 18/1 to win at Anfield.
Recent head to head
These sides met four times in season 2021/22 and Liverpool won both Premier League fixtures while knocking Norwich out of both cups. The Canaries haven't beaten the Reds in the last 18 meetings and you have to go all the way back to 1994 for their last victory in this fixture.
Players to watch
With huge Premier League games looming against Chelsea and Arsenal in the next week I'd imagine Klopp will make a few changes for this FA Cup tie. His options are pretty limited at the moment with so many players out injured but Diogo Jota should come back in after starting on the bench in midweek. The Portuguese forward is evens at Paddy Power for a goal and that looks decent value.
American forward Josh Sargeant has a decent goals-to-games ratio at Norwich this season, netting five times in just 11 outings. He has started up top in their last two games and is 9/2 at Bet365 for an Anfield goal.
Anything else catch the eye?
Backing Liverpool in the corner handicap backfired for me in midweek but that strategy could pay off here. The Red usually rack up plenty of corners at home and over 8.5 Liverpool flag kicks pays evens here at Bet365. The odds are a little better if you back them at -6 in the corner handicap, which pays 6/5 with the same firm.
Curtis Jones was another Liverpool player who came off the bench in midweek and could be restored to the midfield for this cup tie. He's 6/5 at Paddy Power to either score or provide an assist and that could be worth a punt if he starts.
Kenny McLean will be a key man in the midfield for Norwich and the Scot could be decent value for a card at 11/2 with Bet365 after collecting six yellows so far this term.
This FA Cup match between Liverpool and Norwich City will be played on Jan 28, 2024 and kick off at 14:30. Check below for our tipsters best Liverpool vs Norwich City prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
