…in football sense, of course. Klose is the only remaining player in the Norwich lineup from that topsy-turvy game against Liverpool on the 23rd round of that topsy-turvy season 2015/2016 that saw Leicester take home the trophy, previous season champions Chelsea collapse to 10th, West Ham heading to Europe at seventh just before Liverpool – and Norwich get relegated. That faithful night, 23rd of January 2016, and the extraordinary affair at Carrow Road will never be forgotten.
Liverpool had appointed Jürgen Klopp that season and their journey to become Europe’s best team had only began. Some glimpses of greatness were seen that night, as current Liverpool mainstays Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson took the field, with forever young James Milner. Firmino opened the scoring on the 16th minute, but the hosts were relentless and struck back not only to equalize but to go ahead too, before the break on 29th by Dieumerci Mbokani and 41st by Steven Naismith goals. Both teams scored on every shot they took on goal – which might’ve given a clue on what was to come.
Norwich added to the lead on the 54th minute by fan favorite and Canaries legend Wes Hoolahan’s penalty, but Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson pegged one back only a minute later and the tide began to turn. Roberto Firmino added his second on 63rd minute and James Milner then finished off the game on 75th. Or so we thought.
Entering the 90th minute Norwich boss Alex Nell pushed his squad higher and higher and chased the equalizer. Those still remaining at Carrow Road exploded when Sebastian Bassong scored his only goal in five seasons to bring Norwich back on 90+2 minutes. The pandemonium soon turned into death silence, though. Liverpool’s Adam Lallana decided to end it once and for all, and neatly blasted the ball past Norwich keeper Declan Rudd. It was 90+5 minutes and the fat lady had sang. Liverpool took the spoils 4-5 on an action packed night that the Carrow Road faithful will never forget. Some say that was the night the seed for Liverpool’s coming success was planted. And the night the goalkeepers should’ve not gotten paid.
Norwich will get their chance on retribution on 15th February as the current league leaders pay a visit. Remember to take part in Dafabet’s Norwich City prediction challenge in order to win weekly free bets!
