liverpool1819@ZAPunter takes a look at the first match of the English Premier League season between Liverpool and Norwich City on Friday 9th August.

 

 

 

 

 

Liverpool vs Norwich, Friday@ 21:00

 

INTRODUCTION

 

It’s finally here, the 2019/2020 Premier League is just days away and to get us started it’s The Reds vs The Canaries. Liverpool the best runners up we might have ever seen and Norwich the winners of the Championship. Norwich will surely be happy not to see Suarez still in red after his sensational form against them during his time in the Premier League – scoring a hat trick on two occasions and even a haul (4 goals) at Anfield. Does it mean Norwich will have it easier this time around? Unlikely. Liverpool boasts the most prolific attack in the Premier League with Salah and Mane both scoring 22 goals last season, which meant they shared the Golden Boot alongside Harry Kane.

 

Liverpool only lost one game in the 2018/2019 campaign against eventual champions Manchester City, winning 17 out of 19 games at home and being undefeated for the last two seasons at Anfield. Under the guidance of Klopp, Liverpool scored 31 goals in 10 matches vs bottom half opposition and only conceded 3. The Premier League will like every season to be the priority for The Reds and a dominant performance on Friday night will be the minimum expectation.

It’s been a while since we have seen the Yellows of Carrow Road grace the Premier League and this will definitely be a big step up in class, especially against European Champions, Liverpool. Norwich scored a total of 93 goals in their 2018/2019 Championship campaign and conceded a total of 57, averaging 3.26 goals per game. Manager of Norwich, Daniel Farke told the media that he has no intention of “parking the bus” on Friday evening vs Liverpool and they will play the free flowing football that got them automatic promotion from the Championship.

 

PROBABLE FORMATION, LINE-UPS AND TEAM NEWS:

 

Liverpool: 4-3-3

Alisson,Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson

Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Henderson,

Salah, Firmino, Origi

 

*Sadio Mane returned to the club on Monday following his AFCON duties with Senegal and Klopp might decide Friday night’s game is too early. James Milner has a minor muscle problem and will be assessed later on in the week, should start on the bench.

 

Norwich: 4-2-3-1

Fahrmann, Aarons, Godfrey, Klose, Lewis,

Vrancic, Trybull,

Buendia, Stiepermann, Hernandez,

Pukki

 

*Zimmermann, Thompson and Tettey will all miss the trip to Anfield through injuries. New signings Byram and Drmic should be on the bench.

 

PREDICTION:

 

Liverpool will be keen to lay down and early marker for the coming campaign in Friday’s Premier League curtain raiser. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 10 games vs Norwich, winning eight, so they should be confident in getting maximum points. The manager and players have stated that the Premier League will be their main focus this season and each game will be vital to topple Manchester City.

 

Norwich will know that they have a momentous task in front of them and come into the clash as huge underdogs. The lack of spending after an excellent Championship winning campaign has caused some concern with fans and they’re starting eleven should feature no new signings. Farke believes in his players’ abilities to compete with the top clubs, but Friday night might their biggest test of the season.

 

This should be a routine home win for Liverpool to start the season, with them scoring three or more goals against a defence that conceded 1.24 goals against Championship opposition. Norwich has two fullbacks that like to get forward and attack, leaving spaces in behind for forwards. Klose and Godfrey are not fast enough to deal with the pace of the Liverpool attack and will be exposed, without cover. Liverpool’s famous press at home will cause Norwich all sorts of problems, leading to mistakes on the ball, creating opportunities for the Reds. Anfield will be bouncing when they welcome their hero’s back after winning the Champions League in Madrid, this will be very intimidating for Norwich who’s players have no Premier League experience.

 

MARKET:

 

We have seen the money slowly coming in on Liverpool on the handicap and the over goals markets. Currently Liverpool is -2.25 on the AH and the goal line is set at 3.25. The price should drop even more the closer we get to kick-off as the public will get involved and should be bullish on Liverpool dominating. We should only see a sharp buy back once the handicap reaches 2.5 and the total goals 3.5, but in my opinion it won’t be significant. I would suggest you bet my following play sooner rather than later.

 

BET:

Liverpool Team Total Over 2.5 – 1.69 @ BetOlimp 

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

@ZAPunter