Liverpool Win the Game As Defenders Bury Their Heads In the Sand

For whatever reason, games against Norwich City take on much more fear than they should.  Liverpool had not been beaten by the Canaries in 22 years, but these games always seem to produce a bit of doubt.  Will the Reds produce or will they be overconfident?  Those questions came right to the forefront at the start of this away match.

Liverpool failed to come out with any energy or intensity and produced a very dull affair.  Norwich actually dominated the proceedings in the first five minutes or so before the Reds finally started taking more possession.  Liverpool eventually scored the first goal of the game, but it really came against the run of play.  Roberto Firmino managed to slip past the defense as he was played onside by a near-side defender when Firmino was on the far side.  The Brazilian chunked the shot, in reality, but it clipped off the goalkeeper's foot, then off the post and in.  It was the kind of fortune that would be in rare supply on this day.

The game settled into another lull before the dread began to creep in.  Norwich, regardless of possession or flow, just seemed to be more on the front foot.  When that has happened in much of this season, nothing good usually follows for Liverpool and nothing did.  Liverpool again succumbed to their failures on corner kicks for the equalizing goal.  None could clear the ball far enough and it fell to Mbokani, who backheeled it in.  Then, rubbing salt in the wound, the former Evertonian, Steven Naismith smashed one in after sneaking in past the slumbering Liverpool defenders in the 41st minute.

One would have hoped that the halftime talk might have livened things up, but it only got worse in the second half.  Norwich still pushed forward with vigor and found themselves up by two goals not long into the second 45.  Alberto Moreno inexplicably went for another challenge on the endline after miraculously getting away with the first and was called for the penalty.  Hoolahan's shot was just slotted over Simon Mignolet, who had guessed correctly, and made the score 3-1.  The game seemed almost hopelessly out of reach, but Liverpool - as is their want - like to always show some glimmer.

Not even a full two minutes afterward, Jordan Henderson found a bit of space in the now napping Canary backline and slotted home a right footer.  Unfortunately for Liverpool, it drew them within one instead of drawing the game.  Fortunately for them, it would not be their last score.  Showing a rare bit of teamwide form, Liverpool scored after several successive good touches.  Firmino actually started off the play with a one touch flick toward the near sideline.  Milner kept the movement going and then the oft maligned Adam Lallana managed to chase down the ball and smartly play it into space in the box.  Firmino was in that space and he coolly nudged it over the keeper to knot the game at three.

Then, as inexplicably as they lost the lead, Liverpool regained it.  Some strange Jedi mindtrick must have come into play because Russel Martin tried a backpass that was unnecessary even if James Milner was not in the path.  In fact, Milner was and he made Norwich pay when he nudged it just to the right to throw the keeper off and then rolled it in.  4-3 was the score after that play with still at least 15 minutes to go.  Those 15 minutes would not end quietly.

Bassong tied up the game in the 92nd minute after Liverpool just stood around again.  Red jerseys seemed rooted to the ground as they just flailed about while the defender put one home.  Then, only moments later, Lallana scored to put Liverpool back on top just before the final whistle.  In the end, it was an absolutely terrible match that will be celebrated because three points were taken by Liverpool.  So much was wrong with everything that happened defensively and in midfield and the attack really did not look like something that could put together 5 goals.  Nevertheless a win goes in the back pocket and perhaps Liverpool can build off it with the knowledge that they probably did not deserve the result.

Random Thoughts:
- Perhaps I should hate on more players.  While in reality, fans should know they have absolutely no affect on the field, it seems like the more I dislike a player or the more I am ready for players to be sold the better they perform.  Joe Allen has been a goal scoring machine and Adam Lallana was actually productive.  In the spirit of this, I have soured greatly on Benteke so I fully expect a hat-trick in his next start.

- Springboarding off the last idea, it is time to totally redo this team.  It's almost impossible to have a completely different XI by next summer, but there just isn't enough quality as a squad for Liverpool.  Lots of us like players as individuals, but there is no longer any one player that you can say must be kept or there is no way you could find a replacement.  Klopp needs to have free reign in bringing in his players and sell off everyone else.

- Can we please get more former goalkeepers as color commentators?  As a broadcaster and goalkeeper, I'm constantly sickened by the constant phrase of "he's got to to better with that" or be stronger or the worst:  He's got to cover that near post.  If you haven't played keeper, you don't have the first clue what goes into the spot.  That's not to downplay anyone's feelings on an individual play, but I'd just like these people to be put into those actual situations and see how, in their infinite wisdom, they would have done differently.

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