There is an irresistible quality about Liverpool now. While the teams around them are finding ways to lose, they find ways to win.
The significant margin may be a random error, a deflection or a misplaced pass, but the history books do not record trivia. Scorelines, points and places are all that matter now as Liverpool move away from the pursuing pack.
Is it easy? It most certainly is not. Yet five points clear with three matches remaining, Liverpool have every reason to feel confident. Chelsea visit Anfield next Sunday, but they are a better team than Chelsea.
Nobody has it easy against Crystal Palace these days, either – the opponents on May 5 – except Liverpool are coming through these trials of strength on their way to a first championship of the Premier League era.
Ignore Norwich City’s league position for a moment. This really was a test of Liverpool’s resolve. Coasting and two goals clear after 11 minutes, and then again at 3-1 up after 62 minutes, the visitors were pegged back to a single goal lead with 13 minutes remaining and Norwich throwing the kitchen sink at goal. They survived.
So close now: Raheem Sterling scored twice at Carrow Road to put Liverpool within touching distance of a first League title in 24 years
Bound for glory: Sterling and Luis Suarez supplied the goals that saw Liverpool a step closer to realising their title dream
Rocket: Sterling's excellent long-range strike in the fourth minute set Liverpool on their way to victory
Getting closer: Liverpool players applaud the travelling fans at Carrow Road as they went five points clear at the top
Job well done: Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel share an embrace at the final whistle
Down: Norwich players looked dejected at the full-time whistle as they did nothing to solve their relegation issues
MATCH FACTS
Norwich City: Ruddy 7, Whittaker 6, Martin 6.5, Turner 5.5, Olsson 6, Johnson 5.5, Fer 5.5 (Murphy 78), Howson 6, Snodgrass 7.5, Hooper 6 (van Wolfswinkel 78), Redmond 6
Substitutes not used: Bunn, Gutierrez, Garrido, Ryan Bennett, Tettey
Scorer: Hooper 53; Snodgrass 77
Booked: Snodgrass, Turner, Howson
Liverpool: Mignolet 6, Johnson 6, Skrtel 7, Sakho 6.5, Flanagan 6.5, Allen 7.5 (Agger 81), Gerrard 7.5, Lucas 7, Sterling 9, Suarez 8, Coutinho 7.5 (Moses 76)
Substitutes not used: Brad Jones, Toure, Alberto, Aspas, Cissokho
Scorers: Sterling 4, 62; Suarez 11
Booked: Skrtel, Flanagan
Referee: Andre Marriner (England)
Attendance: 26,857
PLAYER RATINGS BY DOMINIC KING AT CARROW ROAD
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Winning by the odd goal in five, as Liverpool have done in their last two games, hardly makes for peaceful progress, but at least Brendan Rodgers knows his team has character. The narrative of this campaign so far suggests it will be needed again at least once before May 11, although heaven knows where.
Equally
irresistible are the performances of Raheem Sterling, whose case for
inclusion in the Liverpool starting line-up is now incontrovertible,
with his place in England’s World Cup team going the same way.
It would
be obtuse for Roy Hodgson to resist Sterling in this nick. 'The best
young player in Europe,' Brendan Rodgers called him. He opened the
scoring in the fourth minute with a cracker, and won the game midway
through the second-half, capitalising on a mistake in the way a form
player does.
One lapse and there was Sterling, breaking from back to front, cutting inside leaving destruction in his wake. He enjoyed a moment of good fortune with his finish, but hot players get the breaks, too. That is their reward for being in the right place, at the right time – as Sterling was throughout yesterday’s game. He supplied the assist for Luis Suarez’s goal, too.
It
was a smashing game, which was hardly the expectation little more than
10 minutes in, when Liverpool were 2-0 up and Norwich flattened.
Replacing Chris Hughton with Neil Adams did not produce the expected
bounce against Fulham last week – and here, it seemed, was further proof
of the boardroom’s folly. There was a fear Norwich would be torn apart,
as happened to Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield recently, so it is to Adams'
credit that they found a way back into the game.
They remain significant relegation candidates with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal to play in their remaining fixtures – yet earned a standing ovation by the end here. If nothing else, they will go down fighting.
Party time: Liverpool fans celebrate in their corner of Carrow Road, many holding up Uruguayan flags in honour of striker Luis Suarez
Huddle: Liverpool players congratulate each other after gaining another three points
Double act: Sterling is congratulated by Luis Suarez after putting Liverpool 3-1 up in the second half
Loop: Sterling's shot took a deflection off Bradley Johnson and looped over Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy
Over his head: Ruddy was left helpless as the ball sailed over his head
PREMIER LEAGUE TOP SCORERS
30 Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
20 Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
18 Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
15 Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
15 Jay Rodriguez (Southampton)
15 Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
The
game took an immediately horrible turn for the home side from
Liverpool’s first attack.
Philippe Coutinho fed Sterling, who cut inside
with real purpose and unleashed a magnificent shot the moment he hit
range, the ball curling away aided by a tiny deflection off Michael
Turner, beyond the straining fingertips of John Ruddy.
Coutinho set up Joe Allen minutes later, forcing a fine save, but from the next attack Liverpool were two clear. Sterling again, breaking down the left, found Suarez, who opened his body, and slotted the ball past Ruddy, his 12th goal against Norwich in six games, and his 30th league goal this season, equalling a record held by Ian Rush and dating back close to 30 years.
And that should have
been the match over. Allen and Coutinho both had shots travel wide
before half-time, while Norwich resorted to a succession of crosses and
punts into the Liverpool penalty area, the majority met with a shrug.
When the second-half opened with a stunning long crossfield ball from Suarez, that should have set Coutinho up with a third, the league leaders looked comfortable. Maybe the players thought so, too. If so, they were very much mistaken.
Room at the top: Liverpool are five points clear of second-placed Chelsea
Clinical: Suarez produced a side-footed finish for his 30th goal of the season to put Liverpool 2-0 up
Swept home: In scoring, Suarez became only the seventh player to reach 30 goals in a Premier League season
Sharp-shooter: Suarez wheels away in celebration after doubling Liverpool's lead
Two to tango: Suarez celebrates with Raheem Sterling after seizing full control of the game
Mapped out: The intricate passing move that led to Suarez's goal on 11 minutes
THREE STEPS TO THE TITLE
April 27 Chelsea (H)
May 5 Crystal Palace (A)
May 11 Newcastle United (H)
Adams
had showed his hand with the number of high balls pumped into the area,
but Liverpool have had that vulnerability all season and it is as good
a tactic as any against them. Crystal Palace have actually conceded
fewer goals than Liverpool in this campaign and in the 54th minute, they
cracked.
A lofted cross from the right saw Bradley Johnson challenge Simon Mignolet in the air, and the Belgian was singularly unimpressive. He failed to collect the ball, and bounced off Johnson, who directed his header into the path of Gary Hooper, now faced with the simplest finish. Norwich were back in the game.
Blistering: Sterling rifled the ball home from outside the box after some neat passing build-up
Open arms: Lucas Leiva runs after Sterling in celebration as the Liverpool fans in the background go wild
Follow the leader: Sterling is pursued by his teammates after opening the scoring early on
Embrace: Sterling rushed over to the bench to give manager Brendan Rodgers a hug after scoring
Route to goal: How Raheem Sterling's opener unfolded
For eight minutes, anyway. The problem with Liverpool – with all good teams, in fact – is that one mistake against them proves fatal. Johnson, battering ram provider of Norwich’s goal, was the unfortunate culprit, playing a careless square pass which was cut out by Sterling, now sprinting with intent towards Norwich’s goal.
His
acceleration was impressive, as was his determination, as he left
Turner for dead and made to pull the trigger. Johnson who had tried
manfully, forlornly, to make amends for his error, stuck out a leg to
block and Sterling’s shot hit it, looping up and over goalkeeper Ruddy,
dipping just at the right moment to fall inside the crossbar.
Liverpool’s travellers erupted; Norwich’s could only look stunned by their outrageous misfortune. Yet the players refused to bend.
Grandstand finale: Robert Snodgrass headed Norwich back within a goal at 2-3 but they couldn't find an equaliser
Rising high: Snodgrass leads above the Liverpool defence to guide the ball home with his head
Dejected: Mignolet was disappointed to concede a second goal
NORWICH'S LAST THREE GAMES
April 26 Manchester United (A)
May 4 Chelsea (A)
May 11 Arsenal (H)
Robert
Snodgrass had a lot short travel just wide, Nathan Redmond an effort
deflected off the head of Martin Skrtel. From the resulting corner
captain Russell Martin headed just over the bar.
Yet Liverpool were
looking increasingly vulnerable in the air and in the 77th minute,
Snodgrass climbed above Jon Flanagan to meet a cross from Martin Olsson
perfectly.
Having found the right formula, Norwich were determined to recreate it. In the 83rd minute, Olsson again fed Ricky van Wolfswinkel via the same the route, but Mignolet was equal to it this time.
Back in it: Norwich celebrate Gary Hooper's goal that halved the deficit early in the second period
Misjudged: Simon Mignolet fails to reach a cross under pressure from Johnson, causing the ball to fall to Hooper to score
Open goal: Gary Hooper slides the ball home past Mamadou Sakho after Simon Mignolet (right) made an error of judgement
Easy does it: Hooper's goal for Norwich mapped out
SUPER STAT
11 - Liverpool have won 11 games in succession within a single season for only the 2nd time in their top-flight history (+ May 1982)
Source: Opta
And
so Liverpool walk on; increasingly alone, but in a good way as Chelsea
and Manchester City stumble.
Manager Rodgers said he had posted the
inspirational words of Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall on the
dressing room wall.
Speaking at least week’s memorial service, Aspinall
said: 'Stress is difficult – but stress is also good. It gives you a
determination to fight.'
Rodgers took the trouble to have that sentiment
translated and printed out in three languages. That was perhaps
unnecessary.
This Liverpool team is speaking a universal language now, and what they are achieving, match by match, will be understood by all.
Stopped in his tracks: Bradley Johnson brings down namesake Glen as the Liverpool right-back tries to advance
Brave: Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet dives at the feet of Mamadou Sakho as Gary Hooper tries to score
Shot stopper: Mignolet reaches across to push the ball clear as Norwich shoot at goal
Closing in: Robert Snodgrass attempts to cross before Joe Allen can close him down
Grapple: Lucas Leiva gets a grip on the arm of Robert Snodgrass as the Norwich man tries to burst clear
High boot: Luis Suarez raises his foot towards the ball as Michael Turner dives in to try and win it
Sent flying: Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho is fouled by Michael Turner as the game gained a physical edge
Airborne: The challenge sent Coutinho tumbling through the air
Long barrier: Nathan Redmond goes down under pressure from Glen Johnson early in the match
Dive: Sterling goes down under pressure from Norwich midfielder Leroy Fer near the touchline
In the wars: Sterling grabs the ball in anticipation of a free-kick after being felled by Steven Whittaker
Hurdle: Liverpool's Raheem Sterling is slide tackled by Robert Snodgrass during the first-half of the match
Orders: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers issues instructions form his technical areas a counterpart Neil Adams looks on
Shell-shocked: Norwich manager Neil Adams is left stunned by Liverpool's lightning-quick start to the match
All over: Raheem Sterling's heat map
Focus: Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard walks out with his team's mascot ahead of kick-off
Kiss for luck: Luis Suarez kisses his hand as he walks out for the match
Five-star: Liverpool fans show their passions prior to the match in Norwich
Kop kids: These two young Liverpool fans shows their loyalties before kick-off
Bear hope: A Liverpool fan shows off a cuddly toy prior to the match at Carrow Road
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