Liverpool advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

With many key players returning, Liverpool thrashed Championship side Norwich 5-2 in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

This was Liverpool's first match after manager Jurgen Klopp announced his departure from the club at the end of the season. The home fans packed Anfield, many carrying banners and signs paying tribute to Klopp. Norwich manager David Wagner, a close friend of Klopp, gave the Liverpool manager a special hug before the match. Wagner had previously served as a groomsman at Klopp's wedding.

Striker Diogo Jota celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal for Liverpool. Photo: AFP

On the pitch, despite fielding a team with many young and reserve players, Liverpool easily dominated. Klopp fielded his best attacking trio of Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, and Cody Gakpo from the start to help them find their scoring touch. After this match, Liverpool will face Chelsea and Arsenal consecutively. Therefore, Klopp will need his attack to perform at its best, especially with Mohamed Salah injured.

Just ten minutes into the match, the Anfield crowd gasped in disappointment as Nunez's superb turning shot from the left edge of the penalty area struck the post. No player has hit the woodwork more times than the Uruguayan striker in the Premier League this season, and he continued that bad luck into the FA Cup.

However, Liverpool only needed six more minutes to open the scoring. Young midfielder James McConnell delivered a precise cross to the far post, where Curtis Jones unexpectedly appeared to head the ball into the net. Klopp applauded and laughed heartily with his colleagues as they witnessed their team's relatively easy goal.

Liverpool fans brought banners paying tribute to Klopp to the match. Photo: AP

Norwich took just six minutes to equalize. Centre-back Ben Gibson raced to the near post to meet Gabriel Sara's corner kick. The ball deflected off his back and curled into the top corner, leaving Alisson Becker with no chance to react. Wagner was embraced by his assistant to celebrate the goal, but appeared quite calm.

Before the end of the first half, Liverpool took the lead for the second time. Conor Bradley won the ball on the wing and played a one-two with Jota before assisting Nunez to score. This was the 24-year-old striker's third goal in his last three games – a player who has worked hard this season but has yet to live up to expectations.

Liverpool maintained their dominance in the second half, and goals continued to come as an inevitable consequence. Taking advantage of Gibson's inability to intercept Jones' long pass, Jota demonstrated why he is considered one of the best finishers in Liverpool's history. The Liverpool striker didn't lose his touch. He turned and shot with his weaker left foot from a difficult position, but still left George Long helpless.

Van Dijk celebrates after scoring Liverpool's fourth goal. Photo: Reuters

After scoring the third goal, Klopp made a series of substitutions. Liverpool welcomed back Andy Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai, who had been absent for a long time due to injury. Trent Alexander-Arnold also featured, signaling that Liverpool had their strongest squad available for the challenging schedule ahead.

Two of the five substitutes contributed to the home team's fourth goal. Szoboszlai took a corner kick, setting up Virgil van Dijk for a powerful header past Long. Norwich showed commendable fighting spirit when Borja Sainz scored a spectacular goal to reduce the deficit to 2-4. The visitors also created several dangerous chances, including one that was disallowed.

In the fifth minute of added time, Ryan Gravenberch headed in the winning goal after a volley from Bradley. After scoring, the Dutch midfielder punched the sky in celebration. Gravenberch had several chances to score in the match but missed them.

Liverpool finished the match with overwhelming statistics: 72% possession, 19 shots including seven on target. This was the perfect warm-up for Klopp's team before their match against Chelsea on January 31st.

Quang Huy

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