Norwich enjoyed their finest moment since returning to the Premier League, as they held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Holt equaliser silences Anfield after Bellamy opener
Norwich enjoyed their finest moment since returning to the Premier League, as they held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday evening.
Paul Lambert's team have earned plaudits for their performances in defeats at Chelsea and Manchester United since coming back to the top flight, but they had nothing to show for their efforts.
However, on their first outing at Anfield since 2004, Norwich responded to a first-half opener from their former striker, Craig Bellamy, to earn a memorable point through substitute Grant Holt's 60th minute equaliser.
Luis Suarez almost earned Liverpool the three points deep into injury time, but was denied by a wonderful save from Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy.
Kenny Dalglish's side hit the woodwork three times among several other chances, but lost ground on the top teams in the Premier League.
And a side which has kept only two clean sheets all season should have known what was coming as a result
The omens were good for Liverpool before kick-off, as they had won their previous four meetings against the Canaries, although the last of those was away in January 2005.
Had it not been for the woodwork, the Reds would have enjoyed a much more comfortable evening, as twice within the opening 12 minutes they came within inches of scoring.
Uncharacteristic
With less than two minutes gone, Martin Skrtel's glancing header from Charlie Adam's right-wing corner crashed against the crossbar.
Suarez's first sight of goal saw him uncharacteristically miss the target from the left side of the penalty area with an ambitious shot with the outside of his right foot.
But the Uruguay international's next effort required the combined efforts of Ruddy and the frame of his goal to prevent him breaking the deadlock.
The Canaries goalkeeper had to be at full stretch to get his fingertips to the shot and deflect the ball onto his left-hand post.
Norwich briefly threatened when Wes Hoolahan's shot and Steve Morison's header were both fumbled by Jose Reina, although in between that Suarez had fired across goal in front of the Kop.
Apart from that brief spell, Norwich, who had won three of their last four matches, had to play second fiddle to a Liverpool side who dominated, but came up just short in the final third.
But just when it seemed the hosts had failed to take advantage, Bellamy struck in first-half added time.
Suarez's nuisance factor in the Norwich defence saw him tussle with Russell Martin, allowing the ball drop to Bellamy on the edge of the area and his low shot took a deflection off Tierney on its way past Ruddy.
Nuisance
The woodwork denied Liverpool for a third time in the 51st minute when Suarez's run left Leon Barnett baffled, but the Uruguay international's shot deflected off Martin and onto the post.
However, within three minutes of Holt coming off the bench he had punished the Reds for failing to take their chances.
The striker powered home a 60th minute header after Reina came for - and missed - Anthony Pilkington's cross with Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson in close attendance.
Holt almost doubled his tally six minutes later, but this time Reina dealt with his far-post header and, as the game opened up, Ruddy was relieved to see Suarez's toe-poke roll behind after squirming through his fingers.
Suarez's 78th minute shot was turned past the far post by Ruddy with Gerrard lurking outside the six-yard box, as the hosts tried to make up for missed opportunities.
Substitute Andy Carroll's header in the fourth minute of added time summed up Liverpool's match, as he powered wide from six yards.
As if to rub salt into the wounds, Ruddy produced a brilliant save to tip over Suarez's volley even later.
But like against Sunderland on the opening day of the season and - to a lesser extent - Manchester United last weekend, a failure to take their chances cost them the win.
Such dropped points could dearly cost Liverpool's bid to regain UEFA Champions League status.
| Liverpool |
Team Statistics |
Norwich City |
| 1 |
Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 9 |
Shots on Target |
7 |
| 12 |
Shots off Target |
1 |
| 8 |
Blocked Shots |
4 |
| 10 |
Corners |
3 |
| 6 |
Fouls |
8 |
| 9 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 81 |
Passing Success |
74.1 |
| 19 |
Tackles |
25 |
| 73.7 |
Tackles Success |
68 |
| 55.3 |
Possession |
44.7 |
| 48.8 |
Territorial Advantage |
51.2 |
| 496 |
Total Passes |
406 |
| 37 |
Total Crosses |
17 |
| 180 |
Lost Balls |
180 |
| 75 |
Recoveries |
60 |
|
