Liverpool vs. Norwich City: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
The return of Daniel Sturridge failed to inspire Liverpool to victory against Norwich City at Anfield on Sunday.
England international Sturridge started the Premier League match alongside Christian Benteke as Liverpool—who drew in Europa League action in midweek—played in a 3-5-2 formation.
However, it was Benteke's replacement at half-time, Danny Ings, who broke the deadlock.
The forward raced on to Alberto Moreno's pass over the top to score within two minutes of the second half getting underway.
Norwich, though, got back on level terms when Russell Martin controlled Simon Mignolet's weak punch on his chest before delicately volleying the ball over the top of the Liverpool goalkeeper.
The best chance the home side had to get back in front fell to Philippe Coutinho, but the Brazilian failed to get his shot beyond visiting goalkeeper John Ruddy.
The 1-1 draw means both teams sit on eight points in the table.
Bleacher Report has picked out the winners and losers from the game, including two defenders who impressed in attack.
Winner: Alberto Moreno
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Alberto Moreno had to be patient for an opportunity to start in the Premier League this season.
The form of young defender Joe Gomez, 18, kept the Spaniard waiting for a chance, but a switch to three at the back led to Moreno getting into the XI.
The former Sevilla player was a consistent outlet for Liverpool down the left flank, including setting up the best chance of the first half when his cross created a shooting opportunity for James Milner.
He then set up the home side’s goal straight after the break, his ball over the top allowing Danny Ings to score his first for the club since arriving from Burnley in the summer.
WhoScored.com revealed Moreno had made six key passes in the game as well as the one assist.
Loser: James Milner
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With Steven Gerrard long gone and Jordan Henderson sidelined through injury, James Milner needed to be the man to lead Liverpool forward from midfield.
However, the summer signing endured a mixed afternoon in the draw against Norwich City.
The England international was booked in the opening minutes for tugging back Cameron Jerome then could have seen yellow again soon after when he took a delayed tumble inside the penalty area.
Milner also fluffed his chance in front of goal when he had a clear shot from Alberto Moreno's cross, while his set pieces often provided catching practice for visiting goalkeeper John Ruddy.
There was a backlash to the player's performance on Twitter, with BBC Radio 5's Simon Clancy saying, "I have little or no idea what James Milner offers in the centre of the park, especially alongside Lucas."
Winner: Daniel Sturridge
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Liverpool fans will have been delighted to see Daniel Sturridge back playing again.
The striker made his first appearance since April 8, though it was surprising to see manager Brendan Rodgers opt to use the England international from the start.
Andy Hunter of the Guardian wrote that “Sturridge’s return to the starting lineup for the first time since 8 April and the overdue selection of Mamadou Sakho in place of Dejan Lovren enthused the home crowd more than Liverpool’s first-half display."
Understandably, Sturridge looked a little rusty. He lasted just over an hour before being taken off straight after Norwich had equalised.
While Liverpool’s supporters wanted Rodgers to leave him on, the manager could not afford to take any risks with a player who has been plagued by injuries in his career.
Loser: Christian Benteke
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Even though it was a frustrating first half for Liverpool, there was the odd sign of a partnership forming between Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge.
Football editor Melissa Reddy revealed on Twitter they had been working hard prior to the game: “LFC working on attacking combinations in the pre-match warm-up. Sturridge-Benteke-Coutinho link-up looking very good.”
However, the pairing were split up when Benteke had to be taken off because of a tight hamstring.
Danny Ings went on at half-time in place of the Belgian and needed less than two minutes to make an impact, slotting home past John Ruddy to break the deadlock.
The Liverpool Echo revealed prior to the game that a poll showed supporters wanted Ings to start next to Benteke.
However, with Sturridge now back, the pair of Benteke and Ings could be fighting for the same spot in the starting XI.
Winner: Russell Martin
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Russell Martin is a defender who is making a habit of scoring goals this season.
The Norwich player took his tally to three with a lovely finish at Anfield, controlling the ball on his chest before lifting it up and over the stranded Simon Mignolet.
However, he also played a key role at the other end of the field, including blocking one Danny Ings shot when the score was at 1-1.
What makes Martin’s performance even more impressive is that he had dashed home during the night to be present at the birth of his child.
His brother, Jamie Martin, confirmed on Twitter, “For the record my bro drove (four hours) at midnight to get back for birth of his son...travelled (back) to Liverpool this morn to play. Scored.”
Alexander Tettey
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Alexander Tettey is picking up cards like it is already Christmas.
The Norwich City midfielder took his tally for the season to five in six Premier League outings when he saw yellow in the second half at Anfield.
In truth, though, he could well have been booked before then, as James Pearce pointed out on Twitter: “Awful from Anthony Taylor. Tettey cynically hacks down Coutinho but somehow he escapes without a booking.”
It was odd from referee Anthony Taylor considering he had so quickly taken out his notebook to caution Liverpool’s James Milner for a challenge in the opening minutes of the game.
Still, Tettey got his name taken in the end, meaning he will now serve a one-match suspension.
