Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi are on target for the visitors. Liverpool cruise into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Japanese international Takumi Minamino scored twice, as Liverpool easily beat Daniel Farke’s fellow Premier League side Norwich City at Carrow Road to reach the Carabao Cup 4th round.
Liverpool led after 4 minutes as Minamino produced a sharp turn and finish inside the box from Divock Origi’s knockdown. The Norwich defence were poor and 3 defenders attempted to beat Origi in the air, which allowed space for Minamino to score.
Caoimhin Kelleher in the Liverpool goal denied Norwich an equaliser before half-time. He saved Christos Tzolis’ penalty somewhat fortuitously with his foot after Conor Bradley’s clumsy challenge in the box on Norwich’s Dimitrios Giannoulis was penalised.
Origi headed in a Konstantinos Tsimikas’ cross, from a good run on the overlap 5 minutes after the halftime break, and Minamino netted a late 3rd, as he wriggled through the Norwich defence, before finding a low right-footed finish.
Both managers made 9 changes from the weekend’s Premier League matches, with Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp giving debuts to teenagers Kaide Gordon and Conor Bradley from the opening whistle, as well as Tyler Morton from the bench.
Gordon, a highly-rated 16-year-old, signed from Championship side Derby County for an initial £1.1m in February 2021. He hinted at his potential as he shot just wide, after driving inside from the right midway through the first half.
Liverpool killed off the game after Pierre Lees-Melou missed a fantastic chance to equalise early in the 2nd half. Minamino’s well-taken 2nd from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s through ball sealed an easy 3-0 victory!
