advertisement

2 goals in stoppage time as Liverpool beats Norwic

NORWICH, England (AP) - Adam Lallana completed a wild 5-4 victory for Liverpool at Norwich just after Juergen Klopp's side appeared to have thrown away three English Premier League points in stoppage time on Saturday.

Norwich, having surrendered a two-goal lead in the second half, snatched an equalizer through Sebastian Bassong in the second minute of injury time.

But play was still continuing two minutes later when Lallana chose the perfect moment to score his first league goal of the season with a mis-hit shot and secure Liverpool's first league win of 2016.

Liverpool's own defensive failings were eclipsed by Norwich's at Carrow Road, and Klopp celebrated on the pitch by giving a shirtless Lallana a flying hug at the final whistle.

But there's much work to do if the Reds are to advance to the League Cup final at the expense of Stoke, the visitors to Anfield for the semifinal second leg on Tuesday.

It looked like new signing Steven Naismith would be an instant hero for Norwich after Dieumerci Mbokani cancelled out Roberto Firmino's opener with a brilliant back-heel half an hour in.

Naismith scored his first Everton goal against Liverpool and, on his debut following his move from Goodison Park, the Scot struck again to give the Canaries a 2-1 halftime lead.

Poor defending allowed Norwich to further extend their advantage when Alberto Moreno felled Naismith in the box and Wes Hoolahan converted the resulting penalty.

Jordan Henderson reduced the deficit from a gaping hole in the Norwich defense, and another appeared allowing Firmino to equalize with his second goal.

James Milner converted for 4-3 after capitalizing on Russell Martin's dreadful pass back with 15 minutes to go before the late drama.

Bassong finished superbly from 22 yards for what he thought was the equalizer.

There was another twist to come, though, as Norwich failed to clear and Lallana's shot bounced and looped into the net.

Liverpool's Adam Lallana, center, celebrates with his teammates and manager Jurgen Klopp, third right, after scoring his side's fifth goal during their English Premier League soccer match against Norwich City at Carrow Road, Norwich, England, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016. (Jon Buckle/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT The Associated Press
Liverpool's Adam Lallana, center, celebrates scoring his side's fifth goal during their English Premier League soccer match against Norwich City at Carrow Road, Norwich, England, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016. (Jon Buckle/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES The Associated Press
Liverpool's Jordan Henderson, left, celebrates scoring his side's second goal during their English Premier League soccer match against Norwich City at Carrow Road, Norwich, England, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016. (Jon Buckle/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES The Associated Press
Norwich City's Sebastien Bassong celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal during their English Premier League soccer match against Liverpool at Carrow Road, Norwich, England, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016. (Jon Buckle/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES The Associated Press
Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring his side's first goal during their English Premier League soccer match against Norwich City at Carrow Road, Norwich, England, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016. (Jon Buckle/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.