The Reds finally did what they've been threatening too for a while and that's won with comfort thanks to a hat-trick from Luis Suarez of the highest quality. The Reds obviously hit the woodwork in the game but for once the chances hit the net and in some style too.
Steven Gerrard returned to the starting line up after a slight injury last week whilst Craig Bellamy and Jonjo Shelvey came in as well with the squad rotating a bit to give everyone a chance to stake a claim to play in the cup final.
The Reds started the game quite well with the sides both looking to play football. Norwich were dealt a blow after just twelve minutes when Russell Martin came on to replace Adam Drury.
As the game really settled down the Reds for me looked the better side and we always looked ready to create chances.
The opener finally arrived just after the midway point of the first half when Steven Gerrard pressed hard in the Norwich half to win the ball. As soon as he won the ball he put the ball through to Suarez who looked up and hit a superb effort left footed across Ruddy to the far inside of the goal. A great finish - something we've lacked of late and coming quite early in the game it really settled the side down and stopped any frustration creeping in.
Two minutes later and Suarez fed Gerrard this time but his shot was blocked. Just a couple of minutes later though and the Reds were two up. The move actually started from a Norwich throw conceded by Henderson. Norwich took the throw and then passed the ball backwards. However they did it poorly and Suarez pounced to beat his man and then it was a case of bearing down on the area. Just after reaching the area he pulled the trigger and fizzed a shot past Ruddy to the far corner of the net for yet another great finish.
They say the margins between scoring and not are fine at times and Suarez had now proved this twice - most weeks the ball would have skewed just wide or hit the post but today they'd hit the back of the net.
The Reds were now in control of the game and had taken at least two of the chances that had come our way. The only concern I had now was the thoughts of the QPR game where we threw in a woeful last fifteen minutes to throw away a good game. Ever the pessimist I guess.
The Reds continued to look comfortable throughout the half though but couldn't create that ideal chance to extend the lead. Norwich made a second switch at half time with former Everton player James Vaughan replacing David Fox.
Jose Reina had had rather a quiet game thanks to our play but he was called in to a bit more action in the second half. He pulled off a cracker of a save from Bennett to make sure the jitters didn't return to the side and to be honest Norwich just didn't worry me throughout the half really. Jamie Carragher did have to block one other shot but the crowd were really flat and Norwich look to have gone right off the boil of late. They still have to beaten though and our play ensured their form continued to be poor.
Jonjo Shelvey managed to hit the bar early in the second half too after Downing had created space for himself and his pull back to Suarez was fluffed but as the ball spun up Shelvey headed to goal only for it to hit the bar - it was one he should have scored from really.
Stewart Downing again created himself a bit of space just of the hour mark but his shot across Ruddy was well saved at full stretch as we looked to increase the lead.
Just after the hour mark and Suarez had the perfect chance for his hat-trick when he megged one man on the edge of the area and with Ruddy advancing he chipped him but he just put too much on it and it dropped over the bar with the two players both having a laugh about it in the end.
Suarez did eventually get the hat-trick eight minutes from time and again it came as a result of Norwich. It was the home side who were attacking well down the pitch but a deep cross to the far post fell relatively kindly for the Reds and Glen Johnson managed to pump the ball clear. Did he just clear it in the direction of Suarez or play a superb through ball for him? Whatever the case Suarez managed to collect the clearance and beat his man at the halfway line. Suarez was now clear of his man and just in to the half when he shot on goal. Ruddy was off his line and the Suarez shot was absolutely perfect to drop straight in to the net. That description does nothing for the goal which was stunning and certainly a contender for goal of the season - perhaps a Uruguay one two now with Coates!
It's not the easiest routes to get to Norwich for a game and late on a Saturday doesn't really help that much but Luis Suarez had made the most of the trip with three stunning strikes. Norwich had no answer to the Reds striker and he was given a great reception by the Reds fans as he was subbed five minutes from time. He got back on to the pitch after the game at least to collect the match ball for his first Liverpool hat-trick and that's now back to back away wins in the league for us or three non Anfield win on the bounce if you include the cup semi final.
MotM : Luis Suarez - no other choice after his hat-trick in this although it was a good all-round performance from the Reds.
