Paul Higham thinks Liverpool will continue their push for trophies with an FA Cup win against Norwich even with the quick turnaround.
Liverpool v Norwich
Wednesday 2 March, 20:15 kick-off
Live on ITV 1
Liverpool set sights on cup double
There’s no real time to celebrate for Liverpool as they’re back chasing another piece of silverware just three days after their thrilling Carabao Cup penalty shootout victory over Chelsea on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are still in the hunt for four trophies but the FA Cup could be one of the more likely if the draw goes their way and they first beat Norwich for a fourth time this season.
A night to forget for Kepa Arrizabalaga pic.twitter.com/Ta9xikXoJB
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 28, 2022
The Reds last played the Canaries in the FA Cup back in 1990, but they’ve already beaten them twice in the league and once in the League Cup this season – they’ve never beaten a team four times in a single season.
Liverpool haven’t reached the quarter-finals since 2015 but even after the physical and emotional toll of Sunday’s game they’ll expect to see-off struggling Norwich at Anfield.
Klopp will do a fitness check but expect changes regardless after 120 sapping minutes at Wembley, with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota in line for starts.
Can Canaries compete again at Anfield?
Dean Smith’s side took the lead at Anfield before losing 3-1 just 11 days earlier, and he’ll hope they can again push the hosts all the way.
Norwich are still bottom but they’ve got at least a sniff of a chance and with games against Brentford and Leeds next up after Liverpool you have to question what sort of team Smith will pick.
His priority must surely be to try and perform a remarkable escape act from relegation with the FA Cup a nice distraction but not a genuine target of theirs.
Norwich have been knocked out in the fifth round in four of the last five times they’ve reached this stage, and they’ll have their work cut out to try and spring the upset and progress this time around.
Red-hot hosts impossible to oppose
At 1.251/4 favourites Liverpool are billed as sure things and when the main hope for 1817/1 outsiders Norwich is some tiredness in the legs for the hosts then you know they’re up against it.
It is a free hit of sorts for the Canaries though so 2.47/5 on both teams to score may be a good way in to this game as Liverpool will likely win but could struggle for concentration for the full game.
It’s 2.757/4 on a Liverpool win and both teams to score with Liverpool and over 3.5 goals priced up at 2.35/4.
An early Liverpool goal could spark something of a goalfest with even Norwich likely to keep playing regardless of the scoreline.
Stand-ins to shine for Liverpool?
Picking the starting line-ups is a task in itself here, but it’s a tough ask for Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane to all start again as they did at Wembley.
Jota may start if fit enough but with Roberto Firmino still likely out then Takumi Minamino or Divock Origi will both be battling for a start.
Both Origi and Minamino have decent scoring records when they get their limited chances in cup competitions, which is why they’re 2.01/1 and and 2.47/5 respectively to score.
A lively runner here that might do well is Greek left-back Kostas Tsimikas, who played against Norwich last time out and is proving an able deputy to Andy Robertson.
It would make perfect sense for Klopp to field Tsimikas again and if he does he’s capable of repeating his good display and registering an assist at 3.613/5.
2021/22 SEASON P/L
Staked: 36pts
Returned: 52.82pts
P/L: +16.82pts
Source: BetFair Tips
