Match Review 2011 - 2012

With Norwich City comfortably holding their own in the opening games of the Premier League season a tough away trip to a rejuvenated Liverpool is never an easy place to go at the best of times but with Liverpool spending huge sums of money of late,the task for Paul Lamberts men was even more daunting. Liverpool, with Suarez,Downing,Gerrard,Kuyt and Canaries old boy Bellamy in a very attacking starting line up.Just to show their wealth of riches Liverpool left Carroll and Henderson on the bench,they cost Liverpool 55 million,probably more than Norwich City is valued at. Norwich kept the same team that beat Swansea last week in a 4-4-1-1 formation.

Liverpool nearly took the lead after 2 minutes from their first corner but Skrtels header rebounded off the bar with Ruddy looking beaten. 3 minutes later Suarez turned brilliantly in the box to get himself clear but his shot was poor and off target. Liverpool kept on coming forward and it was hard for Norwich to get any kind of possession of the ball. Ruddy made a superb 1 handed save from Suarez on 11 minutes after Bellamy broke down the left and squared it to him. Wes Hoolahan had an effort saved by Reina but it was mainly Liverpool in control early on. A Fox corner was met well by Morison but it didn't really trouble Reina. Suarez was at the heart of everything Liverpool did and Ruddy came up with another save from a Suarez header, the pace was unrelenting and to be honest it only looked a matter of time before Liverpool scored. In injury time of the first half Liverpool got their deserved lead, Russell Martin tangled with Suarez leaving Bellamy to run through on goal,his shot was deflected in off Tierney giving Ruddy no chance.

Overall a tough first half for the Canaries with Liverpool dominating the possession and chances. Suarez was a real handful and looked very dangerous whenever he was involved,even though the goal was in injury time it could have been 2 or 3.

Norwich started the second half on the front foot with Pilkington making Reina dive to keep out his effort. On 50 minutes another moment of brilliance from Suarez saw him turn,put the ball through Barnetts legs leaving him clean through on goal,Russell Martin did well to get a toe to Suarez's shot deflecting it onto the post. Lambert made his first change bringing on Holt for Bennett in the 56th minute,it didn't take long for Holt to make his mark. Pilkington swung in a cross from the right,Reina tried to come and collect but Holt beat him and Carragher to it producing a powerful header that flew into the unguarded Liverpool net. City nearly made it 2-1 five minutes later when another Pilkington cross found Holt unmarked at the far post but his header was well saved by Reina this time, it was probably an easier chance than the one he scored. Ruddy again saved from Suarez but Norwich looked just as much in the game, with 20 minutes to go Bellamy was replaced by Henderson. It was becoming the Ruddy v Suarez show with the keeper again keeping out a Suarez effort. £35 million man Carroll came on with 10 minutes to go to try and get the winner and he nearly produced the goods in injury time when his free header just went past the post. With Liverpool chucking everything at the Norwich back line there was still time for Ruddy to produce a stunning save from that man Suarez,his volley looked like it had given Liverpool the win.

Overall superb battling display in the second half to produce a come back and could have even taken the lead, Liverpool were very good first half but the second half was much more even, massive away point.

Result: Liverpool 1, Norwich City 1

Liverpool: Reina; Glen Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Jose Enrique; Downing (Carroll, 80), Adam, Gerrard, Bellamy (Henderson, 69); Kuyt (Agger, 90), Suarez.

 Subs (not used): Doni, Flanagan, Spearing, Maxi Rodriguez.

Norwich City: Ruddy; Naughton, Barnett, Russell Martin, Tierney; Bennett (Holt, 56), Fox, Bradley Johnson, Pilkington (Crofts, 90); Hoolahan; Morison. 

Subs (not used): Rudd, De Laet, Surman, Jackson, Wilbraham

• Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)

• Attendance: 44,931

• Goals: Liverpool: Bellamy (45). City: Holt (60)

• Bookings: City: Tierney (34)

Ruddy, brilliant performance in his battle with Suarez,been immense between the sticks this season.

The last few weeks would've been tough for Holt,big reminder to everybody that the big man is still ready when needed,unlucky not to get 2 goals.

Tierney,again had a great game against England winger Downing, probably been our most consistent player.

Team showed great character again,never beat attitude is inspiring, not many teams will go to Anfield,go a goal down and get a result.

Suarez could have scored 5 goals but that was mainly down to his movement and individual brilliance.

Ruddy

Suarez

Match Report by Darren Huckerby