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| Grant Holt celebrates the Norwich equaliser... |
A starting line up which saw Bellamy start and Carroll left on the bench was an interesting selection from manager Kenny Dalglish. Many fans were excited to see how this set up would work and why not try it against Norwich at home?
It didn't take long for Dalglish's decision to pay dividends after Craig Bellamy got Liverpool a goal just before the half time whistle. The Welshman had a bit of luck after his effort took a deflection before hitting the back of the net.
The goal was deserved looking back on a decent first half performance from Liverpool with two attempts hitting the woodwork. We couldn't get comfortable though as Norwich proved to have different plans for the second half.
An important substitution for Norwich just before the hour mark would change the game for the Canaries. Paul Lambert who has done a fantastic job with his side could see there was some confidence building and his decision to bring Grant Holt into the mix was a good one.
Just a couple of minutes later the striker had found an equaliser for his team. A bullet header whilst being contested by two defenders and Pepe Reina was the factor that found Norwich their goal. I'd struggle to find a scenario where that goal would have been prevented.
If it wasn't for Pepe Reina soon afterwards, Liverpool could have found themselves a goal down, the Spaniard made a superb save to keep the Reds in the game.
The dying moments saw Norwich just slightly lose their concentration, as Liverpool were awarded several corners on the bounce.
Andy Carroll could do nothing but plant his face in the grass after missing what appeared to be a brilliant chance to turn in a header and sending the ball wide, followed by a brilliant stop from John Ruddy to keep out a very lively Suarez, it just didn't appear to be Liverpool's three points to take.
An extremely disappointing result and everybody knows we shouldn't be drawing with Norwich at home but the feel in the air that it's the end of the world just has to stop. There's people already throwing away the hopes of fourth place and because of what? 29 missed chances against Norwich to get three points?
People just need to calm down i feel, no it's not acceptable but there were plenty of positives to take from that game and namely the fact that we are creating so many chances game in, game out. If we converted a higher percentage, we'd be laughing. I'd rather be faced with the rather difficult problem of ensuring we begin to take our chances compared to the immense problem of having to figure out how exactly to create attacking threats.
The chalkboard below presents what i am trying to point out. We all know Manchester United can make something out of nothing. They too were under the cosh against Norwich at home, but as we all know, after years under Fergie, that side have learnt how to take their chances.
Less chances in the match but still a large sum, United managed to convert two of their shots. Liverpool however with more attempts only converted one. The basis of a quality side is there, all that's required i feel is hard work, to make this chalkboard into one with more goal events on for the Reds.
Next up for Liverpool is a tie in the cup against Stoke, which i am expecting to be a difficult one, then it's West Bromwich Albion.