Liverpool 1 - Norwich 1: Martin equalises to mount further pressure on Kop boss at Anfield

Brendan Rodgers' frustrations continue as his Liverpool side drew 1-1 at home to Norwich

PAINFUL reminders of just how far Liverpool have regressed are delivered on a near weekly basis at present, though the sight of Norwich claiming reward felt particularly poignant.

 

Where Brendan Rodgers could once count on these same opponents being routinely swatted aside, usually courtesy of a Luis Suarez hat-trick amid his team's slick and incisive approach, here the visitors were spared a spanking, allowed to clamber off the canvas and even bite back.

Norwich used to be whipping boys. Rewind to April 2014 and the teams' last meeting and Rodgers' side had moved five points clear at the summit with three to play, a first league title in 24 years apparently within touching distance.

 

They awake this morning listless in 13th place and as far off mounting a challenge as at any point in a quarter of a century. It was not supposed to be like this.

Liverpool could even count on the return of another striking talisman yesterday but, while Daniel Sturridge would bring a new dimension to their play according to the manager, it was an inability to shake bad old habits which reared.

Norwich's first corner was swept over by Robbie Brady and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet proved unconvincing, punching tamely to Russell Martin who controlled on his chest and then calmly lifted the ball back over a posse of players from 10-yards and into the net.

Martin was to cradle his arms in celebration at his 62thminute equaliser having driven back to Norfolk at midnight on Saturday to attend the birth of his son before returning to Anfield on a charter flight with the club's directors.

 

Substitute Danny Ings gave Liverpool the lead at Anfield

"It's a fantastic day and emotional day," said the centre-back. "It will be a great story to tell the wee man."

Mignolet's error aimed a wrecking ball to the platform established through substitute Danny Ings' first goal for the club and was to be compounded, soon after, by profligacy in attack.

There were 12 minutes remaining when Liverpool raided forward from another Norwich set-piece and Philippe Coutinho was sent bearing down on John Ruddy by Roberto Firmino's raking pass.

Rodgers looked on in expectation, waiting for the net to bulge, before staring at the floor and shaking his head in frustration as the Brazilian's effort was saved. Yet it was telling that Liverpool's best opportunities came from Norwich's own naivety and not as a result of sweeping moves in which the visitors were unhinged.

The breakthrough provided a case in point. Martin was guilty of over-playing in defence, a poor pass to Graham Dorrans escaping the midfielder, and Alberto Moreno pounced on the aberration by lifting the loose ball forward for Ings to chase.

The forward swept onto the chance and the finish three minutes after the interval under the advancing Ruddy was a delight.

 

Russell Martin (left) equalised for Norwich in the 62nd minute

Ings' industrious second-half cameo after replacing Christian Benteke, who had been withdrawn with a tight hamstring, was a clear positive. In keeping with Rodgers' plight, however, it threw up questions he would rather not have to answer.

Would £32m Benteke have made the same run as defence turned to attack in a split-second or shown the same desire? Certainly, Liverpool looked better with Ings' injection of enthusiasm than without it and, with Sturridge seeking to build on the 63 minutes he managed on his first game since April 8 and hip surgery, there is an issue to resolve. Increasingly an agitated Anfield wonders whether Rodgers has the capacity to make the right calls.

It did not help him that two players he had previously overlooked - Moreno and Mamadou Sakho - were among the better performers.

They were accommodated following a change in system to 3-4-1-2, but whatever the permutation the lack of craft in midfield, someone who sees the whole pitch and whose passing can exploit it, remains a pressing issue that is anchoring efforts to muster momentum.

Norwich's refusal to wilt meant Mignolet was called upon to partly atone, denying a close range Matt Jarvis effort after Nathan Redmond has found space behind the hosts with his legs. When, at the final whistle, Martin took the plaudits from his team-mates and Rodgers headed for the tunnel, it appeared they had little in common.

And yet the reality is sleepless nights beckon for both.

Liverpool (3-4-1-2): Mignolet 5; Can 6, Skrtel 6, Sakho 7; Clyne 6, Milner 6, Lucas 7 (Firmino 72 6), Moreno 7; Coutinho 6; Sturridge 6 (Lallana 63 6), Benteke 5 (Ings 45 7) Booked: Milner Goal: Ings (48)

Norwich (4-5-1): Ruddy 8; Whittaker 6, Martin 6, Bassong 6, Brady 7; Redmond 7, Dorrans 6 (O'Neil 85), Tettey 6, Howson 7, Jarvis 7; Jerome 6 (Grabban 71 6). Booked: Tettey, Dorrans Goal: Martin (62)

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Greater Manchester)

Stat of the day: Russell Martin is the top scoring defender in the Premier League with three goals.