Liverpool’s Pied Piper Leads Youngsters To Victory

Watching the reserves over the last two years three players that have stood out in my opinion have been Raheem Sterling and Suso and Tom Ince. The first teams are now part of the first team squad and Liverpool may yet regret letting Ince go for a song.

How much will only be determined by the success of Brendan Rodgers over the next couple of seasons. Talent in tandem with attitude seems to be his measuring tool for choosing players. Jose Enrique’s suggested in midweek that Suso with his sublime gifts could be ‘that’ player when he said “ He can be a really top player for Liverpool and for any team in the world…”

Enrique went on to say “I think he is ready now. We saw that against Man United…” Suso’s performance in the first against Norwich showed maturity beyond his years in releasing the ball and the right time and his interaction with his team mates mates.

Liverpool started like the proverbial train, taking the lead within the second minute. Glen Johnson chugging down the right, his cross was only cleared by Jackson as far as Suarez who drilled the ball into the bottom right had corner past Ruddy.

Reina then brilliantly saved low down Jackson’s from point blank. Suarez stupendous ball through to Gerrard, saw the Liverpool captain’s diving header parried round the post by Ruddy. Agger produced a magnificent defence splitting which saw Suarez clean through only for him to side foot the ball ignominiously wide. From the resultant goal kick played short, Suarez nipped in before the sleeping Turner could react, and deliciously with the outside of his boot, left Ruddy again floundering with a spectacular finish. If Suarez could finish taps in like he does spectacular strikes Liverpool would have a Ballon D’or winner on their hands.;

As is the way this season, with Liverpool’s passing game now a more natural fit with technically gifted players such as Suso and Sahin in the line-up, possession is nine tenths of the law. The free-flowing nature of the play going forward at times was so smooth that Norwich were changing shadows.

Norwich should have got a goal back when Snodgrass unbelievably prodded over from a yard. The cost was immediate Suarez roaring into the area, after been played through by Sterling, committed the defender before picking out Sahin at the second attempt, who continuing in the same vain as he had in midweek arrived on queue. Liverpool’s defending reflected the open nature of the game and was at times kamikaze. Norwich had good opportunities to get back into the game.

Suarez for the second league game in succession at Carrow Road completed a spectacular hat-trick, making room for himself and curling the ball into the far corner after brilliant build-up play between Gerrard, Suso and Sahin. Doesn’t this man ever score score tap ins…

Liverpool’s loose defending eventually got what it deserved. But once again this season Pepe Reina will be disappointed in knocking the ball straight back into the path of the onrushing striker, who slammed the ball home. His reaction said it all, although he was equally disappointed with the lack of response from his defenders in dealing with the rebound.

Jordan Henderson introduction with 25 minutes remaining seemed attempt by Rodgers to put a seal on the open nature of the game. And at 4-1 that’s saying something. Another break away got the captain on the score sheet with Sterling squaring the ball to him and his deflected shot looping past Ruddy.

Holt who had looked lively since coming on got a well deserved goal when he capitalized on Skrtel’s mistake, dispatching his shot home for his first goal of the season.

Critics may say that Norwich were poor, which they undoubtedly were, but given our lack of a cutting edge in front of goal where we’ve produced fine performances against the some of the elite in the Premiership, barring Arsenal, the clinical nature in front of goal was a welcome change.

Rodgers has learnt from the League Cup and Europa game that the youngsters showed a vitality and a directness which the first XI were missing without a recognised out and out striker. Relative success will benefit the youngsters integration in the squad and there is no doubt some more experience and quality will be brought in January, but hopefully by then the likes of Sterling, Wisdom and Suso will have shown that long-term Liverpool have a foundation which will benefit its future.

Man of the Match: Luis Suarez – unbelievably sublime finishing for second season in succession at Carrow Road. The unpredictable Uruguayan must wish he played at the stadium every day of the week. His all round play was immense with link-up with Gerrard, Sahin, Suso and Sterling. One magnificent chipped through ball to Gerrard showed just how good he could in a role behind a front line striker and his tireless running was as usual there for all to see. His should’ve had a penalty for the second league game in a row and missed his easiest chance, but this was an afternoon when he would not be denied.

Suso – showed assuredness on the ball that belies his years and technical ability makes the news the the club would like to sign a new contract as essential. Andre Wisdom in his first start for the club was strong on the ball and robust in the tackle even though centre-half is his most favoured position.

LIVERPOOL: Reina, Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Allen, Sahin (Henderson 66), Gerrard , Sterling, Suarez, Suso (Assaidi 59). Subs: Jones, Assaidi, Henderson, Coates, Carragher, Downing, Borini.

NORWICH CITY: Ruddy, Martin, Johnson, Turner, Snodgrass, Howson, Jackson (Holt 46), Surman (Hoolahan 55), Morison (Tettey 79), Garrido, Barnett. Subs: Bunn, Holt, Hoolahan, E Bennett, Tierney, R Bennett, Tettey.