Liverpool have been phenomenal this season (Getty Images)
Premier League leaders Liverpool were forced to be patient in their 1-0 win at basement club Norwich City on Saturday.
It was not until the 78th minute that the European champions were finally able to break down the Norwich defence, finding the net through substitute Sadio Mane. It was the Senegal international’s 100th goal in all competitions since arriving in England.
In what was a surprisingly even contest between the Premier League’s top and bottom sides, Norwich not only defended resolutely but also threatened to take the lead on a couple of occasions. Liverpool dominated possession and controlled the game, but they needed goalkeeper Alisson’s intervention to prevent Kenny McLean from scoring a breakaway goal in the best chance of the first half.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds continued to apply pressure and dominate possession in the second half, though, with Tim Krul making an excellent double save to deny Naby Keita. However, they were almost caught out again by a snapshot from Alexander Tettey from the edge of the box, which crashed against the outside of Alisson’s near post.
In the end, though, it was the league leaders who scored the winning goal. Jordan Henderson’s long ball forward found substitute Mane and the forward fired home into the bottom corner past Krul. Roberto Firmino should have added a second late on but the Brazilian fired wide from point-blank range before Pukki struck straight at Alisson.
The win gave Liverpool a 25-point lead over defending Premier League champions Manchester City. After a narrow 1-0 victory over bottom-placed Norwich, here’s how some Liverpool fans reacted.
