Liverpool - Norwich City predictions and free betting tips [28/01/2024]

On Sunday, 28th January, within the framework of the FA Cup's 1/16 finals, Liverpool will host Norwich on their home ground. In the opening round of the tournament, the Reds defeated Arsenal on the Emirates with a score of 0:2, while the Canaries got past Bristol Rovers over two matches.

Predicted Lineup

Liverpool: Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, McAllister, Gravenberch; Jota, Gakpo, Nunez.  
Norwich: Long; Stacey, Duffy, Hanley, Giannoulis; McLean, Nunez; Sainz, Sarr, Hernandez; Idah.

Venue

The match will take place in Liverpool at Anfield Stadium.

Liverpool

Despite a very tough opponent in the first round of the FA Cup, Liverpool managed to beat Arsenal 0:2, knocking a serious title contender out of the tournament. Returning to their best form, the Merseysiders top the Premier League table, having a game in hand and a 5-point lead over Arsenal, who are second. Moreover, the home side hasn’t lost in the last 14 rounds (9 wins and 5 draws) and has clinched three consecutive victories over Burnley (0:2), Newcastle (4:2), and Bournemouth last weekend (0:4). This week, Jurgen Klopp's wards drew with Fulham (1:1), and this was enough to reach the League Cup final (1:0 win in the first leg). The Reds have won 11 out of their last 12 FA Cup matches against lower division teams.

However, there was some sombre news: on Friday afternoon, the German coach announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the season... Defenders Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, key midfielder Szoboszlai, the Greek Tsimikas, and experienced Matip, Thiago Alcantara and Baycetic are all still recovering from injuries. Furthermore, Mo Salah (14 goals and 8 assists) is participating in the Africa Cup of Nations, and midfielder Endo is at the Asian Cup. In their absence, the attack is directed by Nunez (7 goals and 6 assists) and Diogo Jota (7 goals and 6 assists), who both scored twice last weekend. Luis Diaz (3 goals) and Cody Gakpo (3 goals and 2 assists) are ready to provide support on the flanks. 

Norwich

In the previous round, Norwich played to a 1:1 draw at home against Bristol Rovers and won the replay 1:3: although the Canaries faced a numerical disadvantage during the match, they turned the tide through the efforts of Gabriel Sarr, Adam Idah, and Kenny McLean. Norwich were relegated from the Premier League in 2022, but are already fighting for a chance to return to the elite division. Currently, the yellow-greens are in 8th place overall and are only 2 points away from the 6th position that grants entry to the playoffs. After three rounds without victory (1 draw and 2 defeats), Norwich resumed winning, beating Hull (1:2) and West Bromwich last weekend (2:0), but lost to Leeds during the week when Patrick Bamford scored the decider.

An interesting fact: the team has lost their last 12 FA Cup matches against Premier League teams. Norwich's line-up will lack captain Hanley and Batt. Moreover, Josh Sargent and Jon Rowe, the latter of whom broke his arm in the match against the Swans, will not travel to Anfield due to injuries. Grant Hanley missed the match against Leeds due to back problems, but the experienced defender returned to training ahead of the Elland Road match and is expected to start on Sunday. This is particularly relevant for promising winger Rowe (20), who is the club's top scorer in the Championship with 12 goals. 

Head to Head

Norwich's last victory over Liverpool at Anfield took place almost 30 years ago, in April 1994. A 2:1 victory for the Reds in the fifth round of the 2021-22 FA Cup led the Merseysiders to their seventh consecutive triumph over the Canaries.  

Match prediction: Liverpool – Norwich

Liverpool has been unbeaten against Norwich for over three decades, and there is no reason to expect this series to break on Sunday. The hosts, motivated by Klopp's heart-rending press conference, will fly towards the opponent's goal from the first minute and put on a spectacular performance for their fans. I predict a victory for the favourite with a handicap of -2.