Norwich v Liverpool Prediction: Goals expected in East Anglia

Reds fans, who’ve seen their side take a more ‘subtle’ approach in the transfer market than their rivals, will be hoping that the arrival of French centre-back Ibrahima Konaté from RB Leipzig - and the greatly anticipated return of Virgil Van Dijk to the centre of their defence - will be enough to guide them to their second Premier League title.

Losing Georginio Wijnaldum over the summer will have been a big blow though, and Jurgen Klopp has a tough job on his hands to rebalance that midfield three and give Mo Salah the support he deserves.

The hosts have been a little more active this summer, as they look to strengthen the squad that saw them relegated from the top flight just 13 months ago.

Daniel Farke has been able to welcome Greek duo Christos Tzolis and Dimitrios Giannoulis to the left of his side, with both players signing from Super League side PAOK Salonika. Clearly interested in double swoops, the Canaries were able to take advantage of Werder Bremen’s misfortune to raid the relegated Bundesliga outfit for the duo of American striker Josh Sargent and Kosovan winger Milot Rashica.

Perhaps their most interesting acquisition, though, is that of Chelsea’s Billy Gilmour (on loan) in central-midfield. After a knee injury kept him out for most of 2020, the 20-year-old had a ‘coming of age’ performance for Scotland at the European Championship, bossing the midfield against an England side that eventually reached the final.

The belief has to be that if he can kick on from there, and have a Scott-Parker-2010/11-esque season - but actually stop his side from being relegated.

An already tough opening fixture became even more difficult for Norwich on their quest for Premier League safety when a COVID outbreak sidelined several members of their squad.

Liverpool will be desperate to get off to a quick start with the knowledge that 90 points could be the benchmark for a title challenge and, given several of their players have had the summer off, they’re in a good position to get off the mark here.

They’ve bagged three or more goals in seven of their last nine meetings with the Canaries, and I like them to get off the mark well here.

The Greek left-back enjoyed a short loan spell at Carrow Road last season, joining in January and playing 16 times on the way to winning the Championship.

He managed to avoid any bookings in that spell, though was given a straight red card against Bournemouth, but his form back in Greece suggests he’s no stranger to the referee’s notebook.

He was booked four times in eleven starts in the Greek Super League last season and his record speaks for itself. In 2019/20 he was booked seven times in 34 starts, in 2018/19 it was seven times in 17 starts and 2017/18 saw him pick up eight yellows in 27 starts.

Making his Premier League debut against arguably the best player in the league with a stadium full of home fans behind him, the occasion might get the better of him.

Mohamed Salah should fancy himself for at least a goal in Saturday’s evening kick-off. The Egyptian has scored in the opening game of the year for five consecutive seasons, and I can’t see Norwich being the side that stops that streak.

As far as Jota is concerned, assuming he starts, he’s had enough time now to get over the injury that bogged him down during the Euros and his goal scoring record in a Liverpool shirt speaks for itself.

Meanwhile, Tsimikas should be deputising at left-back for marauding Scotsman Andrew Robertson and has shown glimpses of quality in their pre-season fixtures - including an assist in his most recent appearance against Osasuna.