Liverpool made it to the quarter-final of the FA Cup for the first time in seven years after a Takumi Minamino first-half brace was enough to dispatch Norwich at Anfield.
Lukas Rupp pulled one back for the visitors with 13 minutes to play but it was not enough to prevent the Canaries’ fourth loss to the Merseyside club this season.
Here are the takeaways from another Anfield victory.
14 matches unbeaten
Jurgen Klopp’s men are yet to be beaten in 2022, having won their last 11 in a row (including by penalties)
This run since the turn of the year has showcased the quality in depth that this Liverpool squad now has.
Klopp has given appearances to 37 players this term.
This has been instrumental in the success of the side in the domestic trophies so far.
The trust in the reserve players has also afforded the senior players much-needed rest.
Minamino at the double
It was a near-perfect evening for the Japanese forward, who had a brace before half-time.
He finished coolly after Divock Origi showed great feet inside the area.
He then doubled Liverpool’s lead soon after with a stinging shot that hit the roof of the net via the post.
“The two goals were great but all the rest he did was top class as well,” Klopp told BBC Sport.
Diogo Jota also took a step closer to full fitness before he was replaced by Luis Diaz on 84 minutes.
Minamino has a goal or assist every 89 minutes this season.
For comparison, Diogo Jota has a goal or assist every 121 minutes in 21/22.
Options aplenty in defence
Liverpool’s defensive options are a world away from the 20/21 season.
Joe Gomez and new signing Ibrahima Konate have found minutes hard to come by this season.
The return of Virgil Van Dijk has coincided with Joel Matip’s longest spell available.
Both have been in imperious form, but the two deputies showed again they will be ready to step up when called upon.
Konate looked assured in defence and Gomez got another 90 minutes on his road to full fitness.
Kostas Tsimikas and James Milner were both excellent in defence.
No player has more domestic cup appearances in 21/22 than Konate (seven).
Jones injury the only downside for reds
It was a commanding return to the side for Curtis Jones, who was the best player on the pitch in the first half.
He was removed through injury at half-time, but the Liverpool boss was hopeful it was nothing serious.
Klopp said: “Another really top performance was Curtis (Jones), who played a really good first half, but we had to take him off.
“I don’t think it is a real injury but there was not need to take a risk.”
Jones had missed out on the squad entirely for Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final win against Chelsea.
His replacement, Harvey Elliott, picked up where Jones left off.
Elliott was at the heart of all of Liverpool’s attacks after the break and helped out defensively when needed.
Liverpool in March
March will see the Reds battle it out in three different competitions.
They return to Premier League action on Saturday (17:30), when they host fifth-placed West Ham United.
This will be followed by the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Last 16 tie against Inter Milan (08/03).
More Premier League matches will follow this away to Brighton (12/03) and Arsenal (16/03).
The month will be rounded off by the FA Cup Quarter-final, with the dates and opponent to be confirmed.
(Featured image courtesy of Ant Stonelake for Merseysportlive)
