Reds stay top after hard-fought win at Norwich

Sports - Football - Premier League - Norwich 2:3 Liverpool

Liverpool recorded their eleventh consecutive Premier League win for the first time, keeping them five points clear at the top and favourites in the title race, after beating Norwich 2-3 in a tense encounter at Carrow Road.

Raheem Sterling gave the Reds the lead after just four minutes, with an unstoppable strike from outside the box.

Moving on from scorer to provider, the young English striker played part in a lovely buildup, to set up Luis Suarez for his 30th Premier League goal of the season, an easy tap-in finish to make it 2-0 in the 11th minute.

After a comfortable first half for the Reds, who were missing injured Daniel Sturridge and suspended Jordan Henderson, the game became more frantic after the break.

Brendan Rodgers men gave the home side too much time and space to play, which led to an error when a high cross by Robert Snodgrass was punched away by Simon Mignolet, only to come of Martin Skrtel and find Gary Hooper, who made no mistake of slotting it home to make it 1-2, his first goal since Boxing Day.

But Sterling regained the two-goal cushion, seeing a lucky deflection in and past John Ruddy, after a great individual run, with just under half an hour to go.

Neil Adams' men hit back again though, thanks to a Snodgrass header in the 77th minute, to keep the Red nerves boiling for the last ten+ minutes.

Mignolet reacted nice and quick to deny substitute Ricky van Wolfswinkel late on, condemning the Canaries to their fourth consecutive league defeat, which leaves them hovering just two points above the relegation zone in 17th.

The Reds meanwhile, stay top, five points clear of Chelsea in second after their first home defeat against Sunderland.

Jose Mourinho's men will be coming to Anfield next Sunday, which, depending on Manchester City's results, could be a title decider.

Three games to go!!!
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Norwich 2-3 Liverpool 

Norwich Goals: 1.: 53:35min Gary Hooper (11), 2.: 76:49min Robert Snodgrass (7).

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 3:39min Raheem Sterling (31), 2.: 10:14min Luis Suarez (7), 3.: 61:25min Raheem Sterling (31).

Norwich Team: 1 Ruddy; 23 Olsson, 6 Turner (booked 45'), 2 Martin, 3 Whittaker; 8 Howson (booked 72'), 10 Fer (31 Murphy 78'), 4 Johnson; 7 Snodgrass (booked 29'); 11 Hooper (9 van Wolfswinkel 78'), 22 Redmond. 4-3-1-2
Subs not used: 13 Bunn, 15 Gutierrez, 18 Garrido, 24 Bennett, 27 Tettey.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 38 Flanagan (booked 79'), 17 Sakho, 37 Skrtel (booked 65'), 2 Johnson; 10 Coutinho (12 Moses 76'), 21 Lucas, 8 Gerrard, 24 Allen (5 Agger 81'); 7 Suarez, 31 Sterling. 4-4-2
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 4 Toure, 6 Luis Alberto, 9 Aspas, 20 Cissokho.

Opta Match Stats: Norwich-Liverpool
(Attack)
Attempts: 13-14
On target: 5-6
Blocked: 6-2
From outside the box: 4-3
From inside the box: 9-11
Shot accuracy: 71.4%-50%
(General Play)
Possession: 42.4%-57.6%
Duels won: 45.5%-64.5%
Aerials won: 45.5%-54.5%
Interceptions: 18-17
Offsides: 0-1
Corners: 8-3
(Distribution)
Total Passes: 362-538
Long Passes: 13%-7.4%
Passing Accuracy: 76.5%-86.4%
Passing Accuracy opp. half: 64.8%-76.2%
Total Crosses: 38-4
Successful: 21.1%-25%
(Defence & Discipline)
Tackles: 22-36
Won: 72.7%-75%
Clearances: 9-53
Fouls Conceded: 16-10
Yellow Cards: 3-2
Red Cards: 0-0

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 26,857
Mon of the match: Raheem Sterling