Norwich City Will Struggle To Recover Mentally After Loss To Liverpool

It was clear before Saturday’s match that Norwich City were in the relegation battle. That battle just got tougher after dropping one of the most exciting matches of the Premier League season to Liverpool at home. The thrilling match brought every emotion one can imagine and the Canaries were left deflated. It will be very tough for Norwich to find confidence for the rest of the season.

So many aspects of this match will be devastating to Norwich, as they had two leads and managed to tie it in stoppage time. Norwich never should have needed a goal in stoppage time, but their defense is porous. This is the fourth game in a row that the Canaries have given up at least three goals. Their minus-15 goal differential is the third-worst mark in the league and has steadily dropped in the rankings over the last month. The second half of the season is when a team should be able to shore up their defense, and Norwich are going in the opposite direction.

HAHAHAHA JURGEN KLOPP! LOVE IT. #LFC pic.twitter.com/XoWfPatRh1

— LFC Live News (@LFC_NEW5) January 23, 2016

The frustration for the team was clear after the match as one of the staff was disgruntled with Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp. There was a confrontation in the tunnel that most likely stemmed from Klopp’s exuberant celebration. Klopp’s personality is very different from many of the coaches in the Premier League, but Liverpool knew what they were getting. The other teams should know as well, and Norwich should not concern themselves with their opponent’s coach. If they would have taken care of the match on the field, the opportunity for Klopp to celebrate would not have been there.

Norwich keeper Declan Rudd was crestfallen at the end of the match with a facial expression that summed up Norwich’s season so far. However, the emotional toll that the loss to Liverpool took on the Canaries could be the biggest blow of the year. Now every match is about Norwich’s future in the Premier League, and their mental toughness will be more important than their first touch.