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‘They did beat Manchester City’ - Liverpool legend warns leaders not to underestimate Canaries
Liverpool star Sadio Mane has returned to training ahead of Saturday's clash with Norwich City Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire - Credit: PA Archive/PA Images
Champions-elect Liverpool have been warned to guard against complacency when they return from their winter break against Norwich City.
The runaway Premier League leaders have been boosted by attacking star Sadio Mane returning to training, with the 15-goal attacker missing the last two matches with a hamstring injury.
The experienced James Milner was alongside the reigning African Player of the Year in returning to training ahead of Saturday's trip to Carrow Road (5.30pm) as well, when Jurgen Klopp's unbeaten team will be hoping to move 25 points clear at the summit - to close on the club's first title since 1990.
Reds legend John Aldridge pointed to the Canaries' epic 3-2 win over Manchester City in September as reason for caution though, saying: "It was great to see Sadio Mane back in training over the weekend and hopefully he may be fit enough to play some part at Norwich.
"The Canaries have been struggling at the wrong end of the table for most of the season and will have their work cut out to stay up but they did beat Manchester City at home earlier in the season and performed pretty well at Anfield when we played them on the opening Friday night of the season (a 4-1 loss for Norwich).
Liverpool Legends' John Aldridge (centre) celebrates with Patrik Berger (left) and Steve McManaman after scoring from the penalty spot for their first goal during the Sean Cox Fundraising match at The Aviva Stadium, Dublin in April 2019 Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire - Credit: PA Archive/PA Images
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"It's a game Liverpool cannot afford to take lightly and Jurgen will be aware that sometimes after a week off the rhythm and momentum isn't always there straight away."
Aldridge scored 63 goals in 104 matches for Liverpool between 1987 and 1989, watching from the bench as the Reds were beaten 2-1 in Norfolk in April 1987, when a late Kevin Drinkell winner contributed to the champions losing their crown to rivals Everton - as Ken Brown's team finished an impressive fifth in their first season following promotion.
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The striker was also left frustrated as he started goalless draws home and away against City the following season, when Liverpool did reclaim their First Division title.
Writing in his regular column for the Liverpool Echo, Aldridge added: "Hopefully the break will have done the lads good and helped recharge their batteries. They got the break the boss wanted them to have and now it's a case of getting the focus sharpened again.
John Aldridge was manager of Tranmere in April 2000 when Rovers earned a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road in Division One Picture: Archant library/Steve Adams - Credit: Eastern Counties Newspapers
"We need to try and carry on where we left off in terms of performance as there are big games ahead of us, with the trip to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League looming (next Tuesday). One game at a time has served us well throughout this season and I expect to see Liverpool show that same mentality at Carrow Road."
