Liverpool's second string to deliver
Liverpool welcome Norwich City on Saturday looking to build their cushion inside the top four and potentially show Manchester City that they are reading in waiting if Pep Guardiola’s men slip up.
The Reds travel to Inter Milan for the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Wednesday evening, that will take priority and have an effect on the side that Jurgen Klopp selects but it could in turn work in their favour with fringe players given a chance to impress.
The Canaries have picked up in the last month or so under Dean Smith but are certainly still one of the weaker attacking sides in the division coming up against a mean Reds backline.
Process
Liverpool are averaging a whopping 2.68 expected goals (xG) for per game and are well up there with the league leaders for their attacking process.
The Reds have not been as defensively solid as when they won the title in 2019/20, but they are still very capable and will see the opportunity to pick up a clean sheet against a Norwich side who have found the net just 14 times all season.
Norwich have underperformed to score 14 from 21.6 xGF and have looked a little bit more dangerous since the turn of the year, however with Newcastle United’s resurgence they do look destined to return to the second tier and that may well affect their performance at Anfield.
In Konstantinos Tsimikas, Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, Klopp has four second stringers to turn to after a tough trip to Milan and Smith should be preparing for the threat that they pose.
Liverpool do not have too much to play for in the league, but that has seen them establish slightly more control in games, seen them focus on defensive solidity a little more and makes them a very intimidating prospect for the Canaries.
Goals?
Unders could be an option, however the Reds are certainly rightful favourites.
Liverpool have scored in eight of ten.
Liverpool have conceded in five of ten.
Liverpool have seen both teams score in four of ten.
Liverpool have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
Norwich have scored in five of ten.
Norwich have conceded in seven of ten.
Norwich have seen both teams score in two of ten.
Norwich have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
Liverpool can rotate and not see a significant drop-off in quality and that should give them the upper hand against relegation destined Norwich.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
3-1 Liverpool, frustrating to see the Reds breached.