Liverpool welcome in-form Norwich to Anfield for Saturday’s tea-time fixture with the intention of taking all three points after being pegged back by Manchester United last week.
Javier Hernandez’s late header for the Red Devils snatched a point for United nine minutes from time after Steven Gerrard’s free kick on his return to the starting eleven looked to have handed the Reds victory. It was a blow to manager Kenny Dalglish who has got Liverpool playing more like a top-four side every week. The additions of Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam in midfield has given the side an extra dash of pace and creativity whilst Luis Suarez continues to excite up front with his blockbuster displays. Captain Gerrard’s return from a groin injury is massive and his inspiration and drive will be huge to the clubs chances of bringing European football back to Anfield. The 31-year-old was dynamic last week tearing around the pitch like a man 10 years his junior and his link up with Suarez could prove dangerous for Premier League defences. Last week’s draw put to end a run of three wins on the bounce and gave fans reason to send the defeats to Stoke and Tottenham to their back of their minds. Should fourth place Newcastle lose victory over the plucky Canaries could see Liverpool rise into fourth place and a few points behind Chelsea. Is it too early for Dalglish to consider a title challenge? One thing that needs sorting out is the defence with only two clean sheets in the last 10 league and cup games not the record of a team challenging at Premier League summit. They shouldn’t worry though as Norwich haven’t won at Anfield since 1994.
Paul Lamberts side go into the game on the back of a superb win over fellow promoted side Swansea at Carrow Road last Saturday. The Canaries have been a surprise package this campaign lying ninth in the table with a healthy return of 11 points from eight games. Credit must go to Lambert for his transfer dealings in the summer with lower league players Anthony Pilkinton, Elliott Bennett, Steve Morison and Bradley Johnson all stepping up their game to top-flight standards. Pilkington in particular has been very impressive with his energy and skill from midfield making him a real threat. He scored two quality goals last week and should have bagged at least one against Man United at Old Trafford three weeks ago. They also pushed Chelsea to their limits earlier in the season with the dismissal of goalkeeper John Ruddy the only thing that stopped them from taking something away from Stamford Bridge. They’ll need to start defending better though having conceded a goal in every league game this season with their last clean sheet in the Premier League coming in a 1-0 over Birmingham on 7 May 2005. Their last win at Anfield in ’94 was a similar scoreline with the only goal scored by club legend Jeremy Goss.
Key Players
Steven Gerrard – The captain is back and slowly beginning to return to this best. A dynamic display against United last week was just what the doctor ordered and Liverpool looked a more complete side with Gerrard in the heart of the midfield. His driving runs and sheer level of inspiration will serve the club well in their hunt for silverware as long as he can remain fit.
Anthony Pilkington – Two goals last week added to another enterprising performance from the former Huddersfield winger who is rapidly becoming a key figure for Norwich. His energy and artistry down the wings have been vital to the Canaries strong start and he’ll be hoping to hand out some nightmare treatment to Jose Enrique on Saturday night.
Prediction: 3-1
Talismanic midfielder Steven Gerrard made his first start in six months following a groin operation and responded by covering more ground than anyone on the pitch with 12.976km, contributing to an overall distance covered of 121.091km by Liverpool Jose Enrique is Liverpool’s top ranked player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index in 24th place. The full back has put in 18 crosses and won 83% of tackles entered into this season Norwich remain the hardest working team in the Premier League after covering 142.522km in the game Pilkington has scored 3 goals this season from 6 attempts at goal while also putting in 12 crosses and competing 13 dribbles and 66 passes in his opponents half in 7 appearances
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