Pressure increases on Rodgers as Norwich fightback to earn a point at Anfield

After recent defeats to West Ham and Manchester Utd, a 1-1 draw at home to newly promoted Norwich is unlikely to lift any of the pressure on the shoulders of Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.

Although there were some positives for Liverpool, Daniel Sturridge’s first start since April and Danny Ings’ first league goal for the club, poor finishing combined with a resolute and impressive Norwich side meant that Liverpool’s run of games without a win extended to 5.

After a very quiet opening 15 minutes, the first real chance of the game came when the brilliant Alberto Moreno cut the ball back to James Milner, who’s tame effort was blocked by Robbie Brady. Norwich began to grow in to the game but failed to create a meaningful chance despite knocking the ball around with great confidence. Liverpool improved around the half hour mark with Sturridge and Clyne both going close but 0-0 at half time was a fair reflection on a first 45 minutes which lacked any real attacking spark.

Christian Benteke made way for Danny Ings at half time as an injury precaution and it was the ex-Burnley man who opened the scoring. Despite an adventurous start from Norwich in the second half, a poorly placed pass by Canaries skipper Russell Martin allowed Moreno to play in Ings, who calmly slotted the ball past John Ruddy from the angle. The goal gave Anfield the lift it needed and it seemed only a matter of time before Liverpool got their second. They almost did when Coutinho curled one just off target.

The Reds were stopped in their tracks however when a poor punch from Mignolet after a Brady corner fell to Russell Martin who calmly lobbed the ball over the keeper to equalise, hours after the birth of his son. As it had with Liverpool, the goal galvanised Norwich and they almost went in front soon after levelled when Redmond found Matt Jarvis in the box, but his instinctive effort was well saved by Simon Mignolet.

The game had become an open affair and chances began to come, Moreno being denied by the dominant Ruddy. Liverpool’s best chance came to win it from a Norwich corner where Coutinho broke away had the freedom of Anfield as he bore down on the Norwich goal only to show a complete lack of composure as his effort was blocked by Ruddy. Although Liverpool pressed for the winner, it never materialised as Norwich, who were very much content with a point, ran the clock down. The full time whistle was met with some boos mixed with murmurs of discontent from the Anfield faithful and enthusiastic cheers from the noisy travelling support.

Moreno was the stand out performer for Liverpool while Ings gave Liverpool a different dimension but Rodgers will be extremely disappointed to have dropped further points at home to a so-called “lesser side”. On the contrary Alex Neil will be delighted to have continued his impressive away record with a performance of great discipline and character having coming from a goal down. John Ruddy was dominant in the Norwich goal while Alex Tettey anchored the midfield excellently, giving Norwich a platform to earn a welcome point away to a side they had a woeful recent record against. This result highlighted the difference between a Liverpool side with Gerrard and Suarez in and one without.

Norwich climb to 11th while Liverpool remain below their opponents on goal difference. Aston Villa await under fire Liverpool at Anfield next weekend, a game that may be billed as a must-win for Rodgers as Liverpool fans begin to lose patience with their boss. Norwich travel to a buoyant West Ham looking to build on their solid start to the season by beating the Hammers fresh from their shock win at leaders Manchester City.