In the preview, I said that this would be an important game for the Reds who needed to bounce back from the defeat to Hull and get themselves on a good run going into the busy Christmas fixture list along with not letting all of the pressures get to them....
....Boy did they do that!
At the start of the first half, Norwich look ok and had quite a bit of the ball. To be honest, throughout the whole game the Canaries never really did too much wrong its just that they were up against an in-form Luis Suarez who has a fantastic history versus them - and he continued where he left off.
Luis Suarez today became the only Liverpool FC player to score 3 hat-tricks against the same club and he has scored 11 goals v the Canaries in total! A fantastic record for a fantastic player!
All game, Liverpool looked a lot better than they did at the weekend. Although the defence had their moments, they looked so much stronger than the back four did at Hull and it coincided with Agger's return - coincidence? I honestly don't think so. Yes, the Dane does make mistake like everyone else but there just something about our defence when he is in it and when he is playing with Martin Skrtel - the pair of them are definitely Liverpool through and through and you can see it when they're on the pitch.
The main different was the team today showcased a hunger, a passion and in all honesty an urgency that wasn't there at the weekend. The passing was more accurate, with nearly all passes going to another Liverpool player. They had far more attempts on goal, more on target and obviously more went in the back of the net.
Tactically tonight I think Brendan Rodgers got it completely right, he strengthened the defence without sacrificing anything from Liverpool's attack and got the midfield balance just right which helped them to control the whole game.
Give Norwich credit because they did cause Mignolet to make a few saves and give Liverpool's defence a little workout but they never seriously threatened the Reds goal.
Full Time Result : Liverpool 5 - 1 Norwich
Goalscorers: Suarez 15, 29, 35, 74 and Sterling 88.
Johnson 83.
Man of The Match: Without a doubt...Luis Suarez!!
Player ratings:
Mignolet 8 - didn't really have much to do but when he was called upon he was solid. Goal could have been saved but we need to take the positive, least it was only 1 he let in.
Johnson 6 - I don't know what it is at the moment, but for me Glen Johnson just blows hot and cold. One minute he is good, making great runs and the next it looks like he looses all concentration and makes mistakes. Hopefully he can find his consistency over Christmas.
Agger 8 - Like the goalkeeper, had minimal to do in the way of big dangers but when he had to he was solid and reliable.
Skrtel 8 - Much like Agger, had minimal to do but was strong and always there when he was needed.
Flanagan 8 - This young defender is going to be difficult to displace for the starting XI because yet again he gave another fantastic performance and showed exactly why Brendan Rodgers has been putting his faith in him.
Gerrard 8 - looked like the Gerrard of old tonight. Was getting high up the pitch, causing Norwich problems, the only thing missing for our Captain Fantastic was a goal.
Henderson 8 - Solid and reliable as always! Work rate was high and effort was 100% but he needs to work a little more on his finishing and positioning in the box.
Allen 7 - Considering how much stick this player gets, he came out tonight and gave it his all. He helped control the midfield perfectly, wasn't afraid to tackle and even had a fantastic effort on goal saved.
Sterling 7.5 - You need to remember how young this winger is before you judge him and even though some of his decisions could have been better tonight his game improved form the weekend, he got in some valuable minutes and even capped it with a well taken goal.
Coutinho 9 - This little Brazilian was a constant problem for the Canaries. His movement was brilliant, his work rate was second to none - the only thing that could of bettered his night would have been a goal or assist but there's plenty of time for that.
Suarez 10 - how could you give this man anything less than a 10? Even if you don't like him, you have to admit that tonight he was spectacular and deserves the plaudits. His goals were world class, his work rate the same and he was the difference. Its a good job Liverpool have him!
Subs:
Alberto 7 - didn't really do much wrong but we didn't have enough time to see what he can do. Worked well with Johnson and was unlucky when his shot was saved by Ruddy.
Aspas 6 - didn't see much of him tonight. Needs a little more game time before he can be judged lets hope he gets to play in the next few games and we get to see the Aspas we bought from Celta Vigo.
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