Jurgen Klopp’s Last Dance with Liverpool begins

The FA Cup fourth round tie between Liverpool and Norwich City at Anfield began the first lap towards Jurgen Klopp’s eventual exit from the club, and for the Reds’ fanbase who were live at Anfield, it was an emotional one.

For the manager, it was an emotional one as well as the cameras caught the famous German bowing his head while fighting the tears the minute fans started chanting ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. It was a Liverpool anthem, but on the day, it was rather a message for Jurgen Klopp as the end draws nearer.

The Anfield atmosphere was one thing, but the performance from the hosts, almost eclipsed what that day meant for fans as they brought in their A-game to see the team into the next round of the FA Cup competition.

With the season set to be Klopp’s last with the club, Liverpool captained on the day by both Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk who started on the bench, were not ready to let Norwich City make the game Klopp’s last in the competition.

The academy graduates on their part, gave the manager and his departing backroom staff, their own message of gratitude for laying the pathway towards the first team, with Curtis Jones and James McConnell combining to put Liverpool ahead in the 16th minute.

Though Norwich City proved their challenge to contest the tie with Liverpool, Darwin Nunez and Conor Bradley combined to recover the Reds’ lead before half time.

On return from the break, Diogo Jota had his inevitable shout at goal to double the lead before skipper, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai came from the bench to help triple the lead.

The Canaries did not give up however, as substitute, Borja Sainz came from the bench to reduce the deficit.

Liverpool however were not ready to let the game end at a 4-2 score line as Ryan Gravenberch combined with Conor Bradley again to triple the Reds’ lead for a 5-2 score line.

It was a fixture that held a lot of meaning and had a lot of message, with everyone; player, fans and opposition, playing their part to give Jurgen Klopp the first lap in his last dance with Liverpool and the Premier League.

The Reds are set to take on either Watford or Southampton in the next round of the FA Cup tie.