Roberto Firmino is emerging as a Pr

Roberto Firmino is emerging as a Premier League star, Jurgen Klopp must sign a new goalkeeper and other things we learned from Norwich 4 Liverpool 5

By Editor Wayne Veysey

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Firmino is emerging as a star

The Brazilian has given glimpses of his special talent in some big games, at Manchester City, Chelsea and, most notably, in the recent thriller against Arsenal. But Firmino has found it difficult to be consistently effective since his summer move. Until now. While not quite as electrifying as he was when scoring a spectacular double against Arsenal, most of Liverpool’s best play against Norwich came from the former Hoffeinheim player. Used once again in centre-forward position, his touch, awareness and inventiveness caught the eye as much as his two goals. He may have slightly scuffed the finish for Liverpool’s opener but it was due reward for a clever run, while his second – his fourth in three Premier League games – demonstrated his technical brilliance as he started and then finished off a magnificent counter-attack. Firmino is emerging as a bona fide Premier League star.

Klopp must address set piece weakness

Yet again, Liverpool were let down by their principal weakness – defending set pieces or, to be more precise, corners. They were 1-0 up, and James Milner had just wasted a golden opportunity to double their advantage, when Norwich profited from the visitors’ nervousness whenever the ball is pumped in the air towards Simon Mignolet’s goal. It was no surprise to any regular Liverpool observer that the diminutive defence lacked the height and desire to win a series of headers before Mbokani back-heeled the equaliser. It was the eighth Premier League goal Liverpool have conceded from a corner this season, the worst record in the top flight.


Soft underbelly: Liverpool have worst corner record in Premier League

Mignolet needs competition for his place

The Liverpool No1 was given the huge boost of a lucrative new five-and-a-half-year contract at the start of the week but there was no tangible improvement in his performance at Carrow Road. The best goalkeepers exude authority. Simon Mignolet has the permanent air of a man who has left the gas on at home. While the Belgian was not at fault for Norwich’s opener, he should have kept out Steven Naismith’s strike for their second. The word is that Liverpool’s plan is to offload the blunder-prone No2 Adam Bogdan and recruit a proven goalkeeper in the summer who can challenge Mignolet for his starting place. To be blunt, the Belgium international is miles off the required standard for a club with trophy ambitions.

Moreno rashness stems from poor