Jürgen Klopp was left hugely satisfied as a much-changed Liverpool side beat
Norwich City 3-0 at Carrow Road Stadium
Jurgen Klopp declared Takumi Minamino to be in a “really good moment” after the
forward scored twice in Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Norwich in the League Cup.
The Japan international made the most of his first appearance of the season, scoring
after four minutes of the tie with a smart low shot before he added a second late on
with another neat finish in the penalty area.
Minamino sustained a thigh injury earlier in the month which was stated as the main
reason behind his lack of minutes so far, but boss Klopp was full of praise for the
26-year-old following a fine display at Carrow Road.
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Klopp said: “Footballers want to play, that’s clear. He was with his national team, got
injured and was then not fit so it was not like he didn’t play for 60 weeks.
“It was the time after the injury but Taki is in a really good moment, training well
and deserved the two goals.
“The first was quick in the mind and he finished it off well. The second I didn’t see
but he got into the box and in pre-season, he was really good, then he got injured on
international duty but now he is back.”
Liverpool made nine changes from the weekend win over Crystal Palace, with debuts
handed out to 16-year-old Kaide Gordon and fellow teenager Conor Bradley.
The Reds opened the scoring early with Minamino firing home on the turn after
Divock Origi’s knock-down but Norwich should have equalized when Bradley brought
down Dimitris Giannoulis inside the area.
Christos Tzolis stepped up and saw goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher deny him from the
spot in the 42nd minute before Joe Gomez slid in to deflect Adam Idah’s follow-up
shot over.
When Origi headed in early in the second half, the writing was on the wall and
Minamino added a third late on.
“We started well, really aggressive and then you can see we didn’t train that much,
had to make late decisions and this is where the last line and goalie saved us in these
moments,” Klopp said.
“But we managed to score the second, then the third, and controlled the game.
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