Liverpool defeated Norwich 5-2 on Sunday to advance to the FA Cup fifth round, and they are still vying to send Jurgen Klopp packing with a quadruple.
In an emotional performance of "You'll Never Walk Alone" before kickoff, Klopp was met with thank-you banners in the first game since the German announced he was leaving at the end of the season.
Even though the 56-year-old had won the Premier League and Champions League during his tenure in charge, he expressed optimism that the "best memories were still to come" when he announced his impending departure on Friday.
If Liverpool makes it to the FA Cup final, it will be Klopp's last match at Wembley. After facing Southampton or Watford at home in the round of sixteen, Liverpool will be heavy favorites to advance to the quarterfinals.
Did you read this?
After the two played together at Mainz, Klopp's opposite number, Norwich manager David Wagner, was best man at his wedding.
Before the game began, the two had a heartfelt embrace in the tunnel, but Liverpool did not spare Wagner's team, even though Klopp allowed some of his young players to play.
After being given his full debut in midfield, James McConnell, 19, created the opening goal with a tease that Curtis Jones headed in at the back post.
Driving from Gabriel Sara's corner, Ben Gibson beat Alisson Becker to give Norwich a quick response.
After excellent work down the right by Conor Bradley, Darwin Nunez scored his 11th goal of the season, putting Liverpool well ahead of the game at the half.
Shortly after, Cody Gakpo missed a fantastic opportunity to assist Bradley, who had been doing a great job filling in for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Then, as Norwich tried to play out from the back and overcome Liverpool's press, Ryan Gravenberch's attempt was cleared off the line.
The Reds are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League and are chasing three more trophies in the League Cup, FA Cup, and Europa League. They have not missed a beat thus far in Mohamed Salah's absence at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Without Salah, Diogo Jota has taken up most of the goal-scoring duties. The Portuguese striker scored a goal after Gibson could only head a long ball over the top into his path.
With the full-time comebacks of Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexander-Arnold as second-half substitutes, Liverpool's hopes of winning all four competitions were greatly enhanced.
Just after the hour, Virgil van Dijk powered home Szoboszlai's corner to make it 4-1.
Norwich's deficit was closed by a thunderous effort from outside the box by Borja Sainz, but Gravenberch's fifth goal in stoppage time gave the home team the final say.
At full-time, Klopp made a heartfelt gesture to his adoring Anfield supporters as they serenaded him with a song in his honor. This was undoubtedly just the beginning of a protracted farewell.
-1732263645.jpeg)
