Liverpool moved up to seventh place in the Premier League table as they narrowly beat Norwich City in a sensational 5-4 win at Carrow Road. The Reds needed a winner from Adam Lallana in the last minute of stoppage time to snatch all three points from the hosts in heart-breaking fashion.
In a game which saw shambolic defensive performances from both sides, it turned out to be a thrilling goal fest for the neutrals. The game saw a constant reversal of fortunes as both sides had their moments of triumph and despair throughout the 90 minutes.
Roberto Firmino bagged a brace for the visitors with Henderson, Milner and Lallana scoring one apiece to give Liverpool a thrilling away victory. Meanwhile, Mbokani, Naismith, Hoolahan and Bassong all scored for the Canaries which sadly amounted to nothing for the hosts in terms of points.
First Half
The early kick off saw Liverpool go into the game with no recognised striker in the starting XI with Jurgen Klopp starting Christian Benteke on the bench. Meanwhile, new signing Steven Naismith started for the hosts. Norwich started the game brightly but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 18th minute as Brazilian Firmino beat the offside trap to finish past Declan Rudd in goal with the first shot of the game.
The Canaries, however, pulled level close to the half hour mark as striker Mbokani produced a delightful backheel to score past the sprawling Mignolet. Liverpool suffered further agony as new January signing Naismith struck from a tight angle to give the hosts the lead on 41 minutes as Norwich went into the interval with a 2-1 lead.
Second Half
The second half got off to an explosive start with two goals in two minutes. Norwich won a penalty on 54 minutes after Moreno needlessly fouled Naismith in the box. Skipper Hoolahan stepped up and converted to make the score 3-1. However, Liverpool hit right back as an unmarked Henderson scored past Rudd from a Firmino flick on 55 minutes.
Liverpool restored parity on 63 minutes as Firmino grabbed his second from a pin-point early cross from Adam Lallana in a game which was mired with awful defending from both sides. Amazingly, Liverpool took the lead under fortuitous circumstances as Milner capitalised on a horrific backpass from Martin on 75 minutes to complete an inspired comeback.
Just when the game began to settle in Liverpool’s favour, it exploded into life again in stoppage time. Norwich would have surely thought they had sneaked in a point when Bassong struck a sweet half volley in the bottom corner in the 2nd minute of injury time only for Lallana to give Liverpool all three points with a minute to go for the final whistle.
