Norwich imploded
Norwich City boss Alex Neil has every right to be angry about this result. So too should his players who were guilty of throwing away the game and jeopardising their Premier League future. Norwich sit in 16th place on the ladder, just two points above the relegation zone. They threw the game away and, defensively, made some very, very poor decisions at vital moments, moments that cost them dearly. Looking comfortable at 3-1 up, Norwich were easily the better side but unfortunately the lasting memory will be of what happened in the last 25 minutes, which is a real shame because the Canaries moved the ball well, looked threatening and seemed capable in defence. Then, within minutes, they impoded and became the makers of their own downfall. They went from being cool, composed and confident, to edgy and nervous at the back, traits that do not augur well for the rest of the season.
Charging to a 3-1 lead after 53 minutes should have been the signal for Norwich to tighten up at the back and to strangle the life out of a Liverpool attack that at this stage had looked lethargic and indifferent. But they didn’t. Instead, the Canaries reverted to type, conceding their lead within minutes. The worst of their folly was there for all to see when, at 3-3, Johnny Howson delivered a perfect back pass from halfway, not for his keeper to retrieve, or one of his defenders to clear to safety, but for Liverpool’s James Milner to gleefully run onto untouched and slot home for a 4-3 lead.
