European champions Liverpool made an emphatic start to the new Premier League season by scoring three times in the opening half an hour as they taught promoted Norwich City a harsh lesson with a 4-1 thrashing at Anfield on Friday.
The unfortunate Grant Hanley scored an own goal before Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Divock Origi netted before halftime, with Norwich scoring through Teemu Pukki just after the hour.
Madrid goal hero Divock Origi, starting in place of rested Sadio Mane, took just seven minutes to make another telling contribution when his cross was diverted in by the hapless Grant Hanley.
Mohamed Salah slotted home the second after fine interplay between him and Roberto Firmino, and then Salah’s corner was headed in by Virgil van Dijk for the third.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross was headed in by Origi for number four, with the only blot on Liverpool ’s first half being an injury to goalkeeper Alisson that led to a debut for new signing Adrian.
Forward Teemu Pukki struck a consolation for the Canaries in the second half.
Talking points:
1. Roberto Firmino is primed to reclaim his importance
It was blatantly obvious that, rather like Harry Kane on the other side, Roberto Firmino wasn’t fit enough to begin June 1’s Champions League final. But the thought of Liverpool starting it without him simply wouldn’t have been tolerated by Jurgen Klopp.
He had to play, and is going to have to play a large portion of this Liverpool season if more success is to be achieved.
There were some worries that he might have, er, ‘summered’ too well judging by the look of him when he trotted around for half an hour in his only pre-season friendly against Lyon in Geneva, but this was Firmino in his prime.
He didn’t score in Liverpool’s rampant first half, but he was their best player.
2. Expect even more impact from Divock Origi
The clamour for new signings that from some fans following Liverpool’s lack of senior summer transfer business led to mild outbreaks of panic among the fanbase, but one look at Origi’s resurgence shows you just what is possible for any player.
Those who are less convinced of his ability pointed to his matchwinning cameos last season as pure luck, but his displays deserve a little more credit than that, and he was to the fore here as he made Liverpool’s first and scored their fourth.
Last season’s impact came from nowhere and almost entirely consisted of cameo appearances off the bench, but you can expect to see a lot more of him this time around.
3. A special Jordan Henderson season?
For the first time since Steven Gerrard left Liverpool, Jordan Henderson is starting a Reds season in absolutely no doubt that he is going to be used in his most effective position.
For years the Reds skipper sacrificed his own instincts for the good of the team as he played in a deeper role, but with Fabinho around there is obviously a de facto No.1 defensive midfielder. That leaves Henderson to go and enjoy himself.
If he can rediscover a knack for goalscoring that has gone from his game, this could be a standout campaign for the captain.
4. It’s going to be an adventure for Norwich
Nowich City won’t play at Anfield every week, and they’ll scarcely face opposition of this quality wherever they go in fact, but the ease with which Liverpool’s goals arrived will be of concern to Daniel Farke.
Liverpool’s players didn’t need to be good enough to play for Liverpool to score against the Canaries, and although Norwich getting tonked at Anfield is nothing new in the Premier League era, there will be clear concerns for the German over their defensive play.
Going forward they look fine with Pukki in attack, but is that enough?
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