<\/p>\n
Anfield\u2019s long goodbye to Jurgen Klopp began with a comfortable 5-2 FA Cup fourth round victory over Norwich.<\/p>\n
The Liverpool boss, who on Friday announced his departure at the end of the season, sat in contemplative mood as the Kop belted out \u2018You\u2019ll Never Walk Alone\u2019 before kick-off.<\/p>\n
It was followed up in the first minute by a rendition of \u2018I\u2019m so glad that Jurgen is a Red\u2019 but the German will have been pleased the focus swung to on the pitch action immediately afterwards as, with the battle continuing on four fronts, there is plenty of football still to play.<\/p>\n
Klopp does not want his final four months to be an indulgent love-in and his players got the message as they saw off their spirited Championship opponents \u2013 managed by Klopp\u2019s good friend David Wagner \u2013 with clinical professionalism after a minor blip.<\/p>\n
Curtis Jones\u2019 fifth goal in as many home games \u2013 marking the best goalscoring season of his career \u2013 and Darwin Nunez\u2019s third in his last three were eclipsed by the quality of Diogo Jota\u2019s volley for the third.<\/p>\n
Headers from Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch kick-started the first of what is likely to be many parties at Anfield.<\/p>\n
The visitors were under pressure from the off with Joe Gomez having a shot deflected wide and Nunez curling a shot against the post after Jack Stacey lost possession.<\/p>\n
Jones broke the deadlock when he headed home a deep cross to the far post by 19-year-old James McConnell, making his full debut in central midfield.<\/p>\n
The teenager celebrated by simply raising both arms in the air but the biggest compliment you could pay him was that he did not look out of place in a much-changed team whose bench included Van Dijk, Luis Diaz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harvey Elliott.<\/p>\n
Klopp cited one of the reasons for not quitting after last season\u2019s widespread struggles was his desire to put things right and leave the club in a good place for his successor.<\/p>\n
In McConnell and 20-year-old defenders Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah the future looks secure.<\/p>\n
However, a defence missing the authority of Van Dijk switched off at a 22nd-minute corner and Ben Gibson flicked a near-post header from Gabriel Sara\u2019s inswinger past Alisson Becker.<\/p>\n
But Nunez quickly restored their lead when Bradley won possession just inside Norwich\u2019s half, exchanged passes with Jota and squared for the Uruguay international to slot home.<\/p>\n
The visitors\u2019 hopes were virtually extinguished early in the second half by Jota\u2019s brilliant volley after Grant Hanley had headed Jones\u2019 long pass straight up in the air.<\/p>\n
\nGreat to see you back out there, Robbo \u2764\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/mXPJ5YgnSj<\/a><\/p>\n