Liverpool will once again face the winners of the previous Championship season on the opening day of the Premier League season with Norwich City welcoming Jurgen Klopp’s men to Carrow Road on Saturday evening. Last season, with 97 points the Canaries won the second-tier title, while Liverpool finished third in a tumultuous Premier League campaign. Here is our expert guess on Norwich City vs Liverpool football prediction, team news, and lineup for the first Premier League of the season.
Team news
Norwich City
Norwich lost Emiliano Buendia over the summer but has kept Max Aarons and Todd Cantwell. The latter is an injury doubt for Saturday’s game against Liverpool.
Summer signing Milot Rashica is one of those back in training and ready for this one. Whereas, Norwich’s pre-season has been a nightmare due to several positive COVID-19 cases.
The Scotland international should make his debut here. Pierre Lees-Melou, a former Nice midfielder, could join him. Norwich City signed Billy Gilmour on loan from Chelsea to replace Oliver Skipp, who joined Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer.
Liverpool
During the preseason Andrew Robertson will be out for a few weeks due to ankle ligament damage sustained. In his absence, Konstantinos Tsimikas will deputize.
Jurgen Klopp has recovered Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, and Joe Gomez from long-term injuries in time for the new season, but the latter pair still need to work on their fitness. Ibrahima Konate, a new signing, is also an option here.
With Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino still as Klopp’s first-choice front three, Diogo Jota may have to settle for a bench spot.
Curtis Jones will not play against Norwich due to the concussion protocol, according to Klopp. With Jordan Henderson still working his way back to full fitness, Liverpool fans will be hoping for Naby Keita to make his debut.
Norwich City vs Liverpool Prediction
Norwich City was promoted to the Premier League at the first attempt after winning the Championship with an impressive 97 points last season. Their previous Premier League campaign began with a game against Liverpool, and despite putting on an impressive performance, they were defeated 4-1.
Liverpool has settled in for a quiet summer. Ibrahima Konate is their only notable signing, and he could end up as the club’s fourth-choice center-back this season. For Liverpool, this season, recovering players like Virgil van Dijk will be just as important as bringing in new faces.
With Liverpool clearly the favorites. An entertaining game should be expected here.
Liverpool fans have been treated to some spectacular opening-day scorelines in recent years, despite the fact that the Reds’ defense has not always been impenetrable at the start of the season.
Norwich and Farke are under pressure to avoid relegation to the Championship, but their first game back at the top level is likely to be forgettable.
Lineup
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Krul; Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Giannoulis; Rupp, Gilmour, Lees-Melou; Rashica, Pukki, Cantwell
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Thiago, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Our Prediction: Norwich City 0-3 Liverpool
