Liverpool 2-1 Norwich: Minamino nets brace as Reds into quarter-finals of FA Cup

Two first half goals from Takumi Minamino steered Liverpool on their way to a 2-1 victory over Norwich in the FA Cup, one that sees them progress to the quarter-finals and keep their quadruple dreams alive.

Match Report

As they almost always do against Norwich, the Reds started off in control and came close early on when a Curtis Jones shot clipped the top of the crossbar.

Konstantinos Tsimikas was lively and, after he had one chance of his own, his cross went through Divock Origi to Minamino for the Japan international to score the opener in the 27th minute.

It was Minamino again as Liverpool went two goals up, with a corner flying over everyone and reaching him for a 39th minute strike that gave the reds a comfortable half time lead.

Although Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hit the post at the start of the second half and although Liverpool continued to create half-chances, Norwich crafted opportunities too.

Substitute Josh Sargent had a couple of sights of goal for Norwich, before he played the ball into Lukas Rupp for a 76th minute strike from distance that gave the visitors hope.

Jon Rowe provoked a very good save from Alisson as Norwich looked to force extra time, but that was as close as the visitors came as Liverpool managed to hold on for the victory.

Match Events

1' KICK-OFF! Who can win this match?

7' Chamberlain's shot wide out

8' POST! Curtis Jones's shot hits the post

13' Pukki's shot wide out

26' GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Norwich (Minamino)

38' GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Norwich (Minamino)

45' Rashica's shot wide out

46' Sargent's shot wide out

50' POST! Chamberlain's shot hits the post

75' GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Norwich (Rupp)

87' MISS! Diaz's shot wide out

Line-ups

Liverpool XI: Milner, Henderson, Alisson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Origi, Joe Gomez, Tsimikas, Jota, Konate, Curtis Jones

Subs: Adrian, Matip, Mane, Robertson, Kelleher, L. Díaz, Elliott, C. Bradley, T. Morton

Norwich XI: Krul, Pukki, Rupp, Gibson, Zimmermann, Byram, M. Rashica, D. Giannoulis, M. Normann, Melou, P. Płacheta

Subs: McLean, Gunn, K. Dowell, J. Sørensen, J. Sargent, Gilmour, C. Tzolis, J. Tomkinson, Jonathan Rowe