Norwich City vs. Liverpool: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Liverpool beat Norwich City 5-4 at Carrow Road on Saturday in one of the most exciting, enthralling, incredible fixtures the Premier League will likely ever produce.
Roberto Firmino gave the Reds the lead in the first half, but the Canaries soon fought back, equalising via a Dieumerci Mbokani backheel then taking the lead through debutant Steven Naismith. Wes Hoolahan increased the lead from the spot to make it 3-1, but then commenced a truly bonkers final 20 minutes of play.
Jordan Henderson dragged the Reds back into it, and Firmino scored the leveller soon after, paving the way for James Milner to put the visitors 4-3 ahead after a horror back pass from Russell Martin.
Five minutes of injury time were signalled, and it was Sebastian Bassong, of all people, who netted from 23 yards to level things at 4-4 with just three minutes to go, but Adam Lallana's volleyed effort at the other end gave Liverpool a remarkable, last-gasp victory to savour.
Here, B/R picks out its winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Roberto Firmino, Liverpool
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Firmino’s two goals on Saturday helped lead Liverpool to an unlikely, dramatic 5-4 victory, replacing Luis Suarez as the Reds’ South American striker who just loves to score at Carrow Road.
His first included a clever piece of movement and a slightly fortuitous finish, but the second was a product of a lovely team move—the sort of move the Reds are only capable of when Firmino dictates play from the forward line.
As long as you get runners playing off him and providing him passing options, he can be the No. 9 that Jurgen Klopp wants. He’s creative, deadly and as hard-working as they come.
Loser: Liverpool’s 'Defending' from Corners
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Mbokani’s brilliant backheeled goal came in the aftermath (second phase) of a Norwich City corner, and it represented the eighth goal Liverpool have conceded from that particular type of set piece this season.
As great as the finish was, it simply draws the glaring spotlight ever closer to the Reds’ shortcomings in this area. They’re not the biggest side, but that’s roughly one in every four conceded—or just shy of a quarter, if you prefer.
When Klopp is drawing up his to-do list following this fixture, this weakness needs to take priority.
Winner: Steven Naismith, Norwich City
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There’s nothing like a debut goal at home to announce yourself to the fans, and that’s exactly what Steven Naismith managed on Saturday at Carrow Road.
Stealing in behind the defence, he latched onto Hoolahan’s sublime through-ball and powered an excellent low finish into the far corner from a truly acute angle. Simon Mignolet should not have been beaten from there but credit must go to a great, firm strike catching the goalkeeper unprepared.
But it wasn’t just the goal that impressed; Naismith flitted about all afternoon, applying pressure and carving out chances. He should have been awarded a penalty when Milner shoved him over in the penalty box in the first half, but he earned one in the second after drawing a foul from Alberto Moreno and generally provided spark to the Canaries’ play.
The one negative? A heavy challenge on Lucas Leiva early on should have resulted in a yellow card, but it went unpunished.
Loser: Alberto Moreno, Liverpool
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Moreno has some very good games, filling Liverpool fans with hope that he can be a long-term fixture at left-back, but he balances those out with some very quizzical showings.
Saturday’s performance wasn’t one of his best, crowned by a moment (or two) of pure madness. He gave away a penalty in the second half, allowing Norwich City to go 3-1 ahead, by hacking Naismith down in the box not once, but twice.
Moreno is energetic, skilful and creative, but he gets caught out in behind, and when he does, he gives up big chances. These sorts of growing pains are unavoidable in young full-backs, and Klopp will need to figure out just how patient he can be with the Spaniard.
Winner: Adam Lallana, Liverpool
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Lallana will never forget the goal he scored on Saturday. His brilliant volley in the 94th minute, to give Liverpool one of the most incredible victories you’ll ever see, is a strike fans will cherish and toast to this evening.
His impact off the bench was exactly what Klopp will have wanted: His runs off the shoulder of Firmino opened up the Reds’ passing game brilliantly, and it was his clipped pass that setup the Brazilian up for his second (and Liverpool's third).
Klopp has utilised Lallana heavily for his excellent tactical fit to the system, but his production has been lacking. If he can cobble together more games like this, perhaps there won't be a need to hit the market in search for goals?
