Norwich v Liverpool: Match Preview, Team News, Stats and Ratings

Premier League
Sunday 20 April 2014 - 12:00 pm
Carrow Road
Norwich2
3Liverpool
Show Match Events
' Skrtel
' Flanagan
4'Sterling ⚽️
11'Suarez ⚽️
62'Sterling ⚽️
Hide Match Events

Remember last week's game? The biggest game of the season? Here comes another.

Liverpool, undefeated in all 15 Premier League games in 2014, and on a 10 match winning run travel to Carrow Road in what will be another installment of Match of the Day.

The reds are aiming for title glory - the Canaries are fighting for their Premier League survival.

After last week's 3-2 victory over Man City, an emotional Steven Gerrard told his players 'This game is gone. We go to Norwich. Exactly the same. We go again'

This phrase was shortened into a simple message paraded to the players during training this week by loyal Liverpool fans.

Norwich recently dispensed with manager Chris Hughton, adding further flames of intrigue to the fixture, with the new man keen to put behind him poor form this season, and poor recent form against a red hot Luis Suarez.

State of Play

Chelsea, in stunning scenes, lost on Saturday evening  to bottom of the league Sunderland meaning Liverpool can go 5 points clear at the top with a win.

Man City do not play until Monday night in a home game against strugglers West Brom.

A victory for Liverpool will also ensure automatic qualification for the Champions League and a top 3 finish this season.

Team News

Daniel Sturridge is a major doubt for this fixture.  Brendan Rodgers said in his press conference prior to the game that they were giving him every opportunity to recover for the clash but Anfield Online does not expect the player to feature.  Jordan Henderson serves the first match ban of a three game suspension after a late red card in the Man City game.

Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva could both be drafted in to the side to cover.

The new Norwich boss Neil Adams made 6 changes to his side before last week's game - he could welcome back Sebastien Bassong, the Norwich captain, who wasn't involved last time.

Pre Match Comments

Neil Adams, Norwich boss:

"It speaks for itself their run, and we respect that, but all runs are due to come to an end at some time and why can't it be theirs that comes to an end at Carrow Road on Sunday?

"It's going to be tough, of course it is, but we're confident. We treat every team the same. The research has been thorough, and we've spotted one or two weaknesses and identified one or two areas where we think we can have a little bit of joy against Liverpool."

Brendan Rodgers:

"I said to the players this morning before training that if there is anyone looking at a rival dropping points (Sunderland drew at Man City midweek), then also take it as a warning sign, it is never easy at this stage."

"Teams can think that they are playing teams towards the bottom and that the games might be easy but actually it's the contrast - they can be even more difficult.

"People are fighting for their livelihoods, fighting for their lives, fighting for their children, for the supporters. They're fighting to play in the best league in the world.

"Last night was a warning sign for everyone that, at this point of the season with four games to go, there is nothing guaranteed. I have said that all along. Crystal Palace had an excellent result at Everton, and Sunderland were within minutes of getting a great victory at Man City.

"Yes, one of the rivals might have dropped points but that is irrelevant. You have to do your own job.

"The warning signs are there. We certainly don't have our hands up in the air. The finishing line is a wee bit out so we just need to focus and keep producing the performances that we have. If we do that, we will hopefully take three points at the weekend."

LFC v Norwich stats

Luis Suarez has scored 11 goals against Norwich City in 4 matches.  He hates yellow and green and thinks it shouldn't be seen.

Norwich are 2 points clear of the relegation zone, fourth from bottom, but face a fearsome final four games - Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Liverpool are unbeaten in the last nine against Norwich.  The last defeat came in a symbolic game at Anfield in 1994.  On the day that the Kop last admitted standing supporters before turning to an all-seater, Jeremy Goss scored in a 1-0 win.

Liverpool are 7 goals short of breaking the 100 goals barrier in the league.  They already have 16 more points than they finished with last season.

Betting

Standard fare for LFC against a club near the bottom, with the best price on the opposition around 8/1.  Liverpool are 2/5.

2-1 and 2-0 are similarly priced as the favoured scoreline to Liverpool - around 9/1.

A 4-0 for Liverpool is around 20/1.

You should be able to get 12/1 on another Luis Suarez hat-trick.

A Norwich winning scoreline start from a large 25/1  - with a 2-2 draw at 22/1.

Prediction

Pressure, pressure, pressure.  For both sides.  Liverpool will be in dreamland with a win and to be honest we can't even think straight on our predictions (which have actually been fairly accurate this season).

Nonetheless - we're backing the red men and we suggest you do to.

Bet: Sterling score anytime and  4-1 to LFC - 30/1

Leave a Reply

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.