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Two goals from Raheem Sterling and one from Luis Suarez – Norwich’s worst nightmare – led the Reds to their 11th consecutive win in the league. It moves them five points clear of Chelsea at the top of the table and 9 clear of Manchester City.
The win also meant a lot more, too, as it guaranteed Liverpool’s place in next season’s Champions League group stages. With just three games remaining, and Chelsea to come to Anfield next week, the Reds are in complete control of the title race. They need just seven more points to win the title.
Raheem Sterling was magnificent for the Reds, amassing a Squawka Performance Score of 85 – the highest on the pitch. His two goals and assist for Suarez took Liverpool to victory against a battling Norwich side.
Sterling’s Attempts on Goal vs Norwich
Of Liverpool’s 14 shots, Sterling hit three of them, of which two hit both the target and the back of the net. He is certainly the most in-form player in the Premier League at the moment and carried that into this match.
Playing up front for the first time in his short Liverpool career, Sterling was magnificent and Norwich could not handle his pace. His strength was superb as well, as the Canaries could not contain him.
He opened the scoring after just five minutes with a thunderbolt of a strike from 25-yards out. Just six minutes later, he ran down the left wing and played an inch-perfect pass into Suarez’s path, who delightfully slid it past John Ruddy for the 12th time in his last five matches against Norwich.
Then as Norwich pulled a goal back through Gary Hooper after Simon Mignolet’s mistake, Sterling raced towards the Norwich goal and his deflected shot flipped over Ruddy and into the net. Liverpool could rest again, but only for Robert Snodgrass’s headed goal to bring the Canaries back into the game.
With Liverpool pegged back, Sterling held his own further up the pitch and battled well to keep the ball away from Mignolet’s net. He was magnificent.
Sterling, despite having been one of the smallest players on the pitch, won two of his three headed duels. He also helped Liverpool slow the play down by winning four fouls. Three were in Liverpool’s half and they were the type of free-kicks that take all of the pressure off when you’re pegged back.
Sterling’s Take-ons vs Norwich
He also completed four of his five take-ons to take him up to 78 overall in the Premier League. Only Eden Hazard (122) now has more.
Sterling Heat Map vs Norwich, detailing on-ball actions.
The young forward completed 78% of his passes – 36 from 46 – and also created two chances. He was everywhere for Liverpool, shown well by his heat map. Sterling picked up spots all around the pitch, showing exactly why Norwich could not handle him.
This was an enormous win for Liverpool and Sterling was majestic in sealing it. The Reds are now five points clear and showed incredible character to fight to victory and repel the constant Norwich attacks in the second half.
Sterling has become a real talent and at just 19 years of age is quickly becoming one of the best players in the country.
Brendan Rodgers has done a lot of excellent work this season but one of his many positives is what he’s done with Sterling. There has been an incredible growth and improvement in the young man and it showed today.
While Liverpool had 33-year-old Steven Gerrard rallying the squad after beating Manchester City last week, it was a young 19-year-old playing out of position that won the three points this week and dragged his side one step closer to the league title.
