Solid Stoke frustrate Liverpool

The stalemate made it five draws in seven Premier League matches by Tony Pulis' men, while a point will be scant consolation for Reds manager Brendan Rodgers.

It could have been worse for the hosts, who twice almost pushed the self-destruct button, but ultimately this will be viewed as another disappointment in a stop-start season.

Rodgers made eight changes from the side beaten by Udinese on Thursday, after which he called his players "lazy", and one of his targets, Stewart Downing, was not even on the bench.

Liverpool had been on the receiving end of a kicking from their manager in midweek, and got another one at Anfield at the hands of Stoke, who took their renowned physical approach across the line of legality on plenty of occasions.

But if Liverpool were keen to escape the sharp edge of their manager's tongue, they hardly helped themselves.

Twice, goalkeeper Jose Reina attempted to pass the ball out to a midfielder; twice, Stoke scented a weakness and pounced, and twice it was only the reactions of the Spaniard which saved Liverpool.

Stoke had clearly anticipated Reina would refuse to launch the ball long, and the first time it was Nuri Sahin who conceded possession, giving Charlie Adam a chance to humiliate his former employees. The Scot advanced toward goal, but Reina was quickly out of the blocks to narrow the angle and parry the shot.

Liverpool committed the same mistake again soon afterward. This time it was Steven Nzonzi snapping into the challenge as another Reina pass went awry and Michael Kightly tried to flight the ball into the goal, but the keeper recovered to turn it over at full stretch.

Having passed up those chances, Stoke reverted to type, striking long balls and stopping their opponents by foul means as often as fair, and the game disintegrated as a spectacle.

Liverpool's frustration increased, while the away fans chanted 'You're not famous any more', a nd all that there was to give the Reds fans some hope before the break was a sweeping shot by Steven Gerrard turned aside by Asmir Begovic, and a toe-poke from Daniel Agger that bounced wide.

Proper football threatened to break out in patches in the second half, as Stoke toned down their challenges, and it was Liverpool who had just about all the chances, although none were clear-cut.

First, a terrific combination between Gerrard and Luis Suarez was just thwarted. Gerrard then picked out Glen Johnson's run with a pass of arrow-like precision, but his England team-mate, on the run, could not keep the shot down.

A run of genuine brilliance by Suarez, the most gifted person on the pitch by some distance, nearly brought a superb goal, but he just bent the shot wide of the angle.

Raheem Sterling was presented with perhaps Liverpool's best opportunity after Agger's driving run, but he tried to drill it inside the near post and only found the side-nettin g.

Suarez then showed the best and worst of his talents in the space of a couple of minutes, first with a dive in the penalty area that was embarrassingly obvious, then bursting down the right and powering a shot against the outside of a post from a tight angle.

Martin Skrtel nearly snatched a winner at the end when he hooked Joe Cole's ball back across goal, but it dropped, agonisingly for Liverpool, the wrong side of the post.

A dreary goalless draw at home will hardly provide much succour for Rodgers - and Michael Owen, missing an Anfield return due to injury, can only be thankful he was not playing.

Downing hits back at Rodgers

Rodgers called on the winger, who became the fourth most expensive signing in the club's history when he arrived from Aston Villa last summer for 20million, to show "fight" for the cause as the club continued its stuttering start to the season.

But Downing has says he has been hurt by comments he believes should not have been made public.

"I was upset and you'll have to ask the manager what he meant with that quote," Downing said. "I always try my best.

"Bravery is a lot of things. If you want tackling and running around bustling, that's not my game. But bravery is also taking the ball when you're losing and creating things. That's what I try to do.

"I'm disappointed but if that's how the manager sees it, there's not a lot I can do about it. I just have to keep working hard and do what he tells me to do.

"I would have preferred if it was private but that's the way it is. We've had a few conversations and the only thing for me is to k eep working hard and take my chance when I get it."

Suarez treble shatters Norwich

Suarez scored a memorable treble on his last visit to Carrow in April and he took just 67 seconds to open his account in Norfolk this season, scoring from the edge of the box to make it 1-0.

He then capitalised on a terrible mistake by Michael Turner to make it 2-0 before laying on Nuri Sahin, who made it 3-0 just after the break.

The former Ajax forward then took his tally for the season to six when he curled home from the edge of the box and Steven Gerrard scored Liverpool's fifth after Steve Morison had pulled one back for Norwich.

Substitute Grant Holt overpowered his marker to score another consolation for Norwich with three minutes to go, but there was no doubt who the bossed the game at the final whistle, as the home fans booed their team off following a poor display, while Liverpool enjoyed their first league win of the season.

A lot had been made of Liverpool's poor start to the season under Rodgers before today's game, but the Mer seysiders were a class apart at Carrow Road.

Teenage trio Raheem Sterling, Suso and Andre Wisdom all performed brilliantly and Sahin proved the perfect foil to Suarez's penetrating runs through the Norwich defence.

They played with fluency, pace and brutal finishing that will give Rodgers hope that he can deliver success at Anfield during his first term in charge.

A Liverpool rout seemed on the cards from the start. With just over a minute on the clock, Glen Johnson's through-ball was cleared only as far as Suarez and he drove home from 18 yards.

Daniel Agger headed over a free-kick as Liverpool searched for a quick second, but Norwich then stormed forward through Simeon Jackson, who drew a top-drawer reaction save from Pepe Reina at his near post.

Sterling then knocked Suarez's pin-point ball across the box but Norwich cleared just before the unmarked Sahin could pull the trigger.

Suarez was at the centre of controversy in the 23rd minute when the Uruguayan raced through after a long ball over the top and broke in to the box.

Just as the forward was about to shoot Leon Barnett barged in to back of Uruguayan and brought an elbow down on his shoulder, but referee Mike Jones waved play on despite the please of the Reds players, who were infuriated at the decision.

Suarez was involved in the action again minutes later when he played Gerrard through with a wonderful 40-yard pass but John Ruddy palmed the skipper's header away from close range.

Jackson blazed over a good chance to put Norwich back in the game and Suarez made the hosts pay.

Barely 30 seconds after shooting wide while one on one with Ruddy, the Uruguayan pinched the ball off a lazy Turner, nutmegged the defender and slotted finished from 12 yards before goading the home supporters in his celebration.

After seeing his team booed off at half-time, Chris Hughton brought on Holt and the Canaries started playing m uch better.

Hughton's team should have pulled one back in the 46th minute when Jackson fired a cross the box with a volley but the ball cannoned off Robert Snodgrass' knee and flew over the bar from barely two yards.

Once again Norwich were made to pay for their miss as Suarez came in off the flank and unselfishly squared to Sahin, who made it 3-0. Some Norwich fans had seen enough and left even though the game was only 56 minutes old.

Andrew Surman blazed a terrible shot wide and almost predictably Liverpool went down the other end and scored.

Norwich foolishly stood off Suarez and he curled a brilliant finished wide of the outstretched Ruddy to complete his hat-trick.

The Canaries restored some pride soon after when Reina spilled Russell Martin's shot in to the path of Morison and he calmly swept home.

Liverpool underlined their dominance with little over 20 minutes left when Sterling took advantage of a slip by Javier Garrido to s quare for Gerrard, who scored thanks to a big deflection off Barnett that wrong-footed Ruddy.

Suarez almost bagged his fourth four minutes later when he latched on to Gerrard's pass down the left wing, but the forward could only find the side-netting.

The away fans sung the names of Suarez and Rodgers in the dying minutes, clearly delighted at their team's first win of the season.

The home fans, meanwhile, vented their frustration by booing their team off as their winless run under Hughton continued.

Norwich v Liverpool reaction

Suarez scored a memorable treble at Carrow Road last season and he repeated the feat on Saturday as he almost single-handedly tore Norwich apart in a 5-2 win for the Merseysiders.

The Uruguayan opened the scoring from the edge of the box after just 67 seconds and made amends for missing a one-on-one chance by robbing Michael Turner and slotting past John Ruddy to make it 2-0.

Suarez unselfishly played in Nuri Sahin for Liverpool's third after the break before he completed his hat-trick with a superb curling effort from 18 yards just before the hour.

"His goals here were incredible last year and this was another masterclass in finishing apart from the one on one chance," Rodgers said.

"His first goal was terrific. The second one typifies him because he missed his easiest chance he had, but he didn't get disappointed, won back the ball, nutmegged the defender with an incredible piece of skill and then to finish the way he did was brilliant.

"It was a special day for him and the team."

Steven Gerrard completed the rout with a deflected effort and Norwich were booed off at half-time and full-time despite consolation goals from Grant Holt and Steve Morison.

A debate has surrounded whether Suarez goes down too easily pretty much since he arrived in England from Ajax in January 2011.

The forward was booked for simulation against Sunderland even though replays showed he had been fouled and last week he was denied a penalty against Manchester United when he appeared to be taken out by Jonny Evans.

Those calls had infuriated Rodgers to the extent that he called referees' chief Mike Riley to complain that the Reds were not getting the decisions they deserved.

The issue reared its head again on Saturday in the first half when Leon Barnett barged into the back of Suarez in the box and also brought his elbow down on the player's shoulder.

Referee Mike Jones did not award the penalty, much to the disappointment of Rodgers.

"It was a stonewall penalty," he said. "I feel for the guy (Suarez), I really do. Everyone in the ground knew it was a penalty.

"Antonio Valencia last week got a penalty against us and there was barely any contact.

"Today the young guy Barnett elbowed (Suarez) in the head and gave him a wee nudge just to make sure, but (Jones) still didn't give it.

"If Luis is a player who goes down too easily he would have done so in the second half when a defender caught him just before the fourth goal.

"Maybe one day we will get the decision. Until that point we just continue to concentrate on our performance."

The victory was Rodgers' first in the Premier League at the sixth attempt.

Norwich, on the other hand, are still searching for their first success under Chris Hughton.

The Canaries always looked destined for a hiding on Saturday, and had it not been for Ruddy, the margin of victo ry could have been five or six.

Afterwards Hughton hit out at his defence's poor showing.

He said: "You cannot afford to give them the opportunities we gave them today and that is disappointing."

"We will make no excuses for today or for the points we have got so far this season.

"We are all still annoyed, disappointed and angry with the goals that we conceded because it doesn't matter who you are playing if you give the opposition those sorts of opportunities there's every chance you could lose."

Gerrard: Title would take miracle

The 32-year-old England international feels that the Merseyside giants, who won the last of their 18 English titles back in 1990, have fallen behind the leading lights in the top flight in recent years, a point illustrated by their eighth-place finish last season.

New manager Brendan Rodgers was brought in over the summer to replace Kenny Dalglish and finally picked up his first league win of the new season at the sixth time of asking with a 5-2 romp against Norwich.

With the club in a transitional phase, Gerrard believes that finishing in the top four this term amid the ever-increasing competition in the Premier League and securing a return to the Champions League should be their main target.

He told the Sunday Times: "There's not just (Manchester) United and Arsenal now but City, Chelsea and Tottenham. Newcastle coming as well. The Premier League has become a lot more difficult to win for everyone.

"We were eighth last year. If this seaso n goes well, we get a bit of luck, improve, we have an outside, no, a 50-50 chance of being in the top four. That's being realistic. It's achievable.

"But even if we do sneak into the top four I'll be 33 at the end of the season, so that's why it'll be a miracle if we win the title before I finish.

"But I'll keep fighting. I'll keep trying and see what happens."

Gerrard has also revealed how an infection in a seemingly minor ankle injury last season threatened to bring his career to a premature conclusion, with emergency surgery required just two hours after he was eating a pre-match meal with the rest of the team prior to the clash with West Brom.

He said: "The doctor was unhappy with the colour and size and had sent the sample for tests. There was a severe infection.

"If I hadn't had the fluid out within 24 hours I wouldn't have had a cartilage. The bug would have eaten it. I'd probably have never played again, or even trained.

"In my mind, as the operation began, was, 'This could be the end'.

"I owe the doc and Chris Morgan, our physio. Last year put my career into perspective."

Rodgers seeking home comforts

Thursday's 3-2 Europa League defeat to Udinese means the Reds have now gone five games in all competitions without a win on their own turf, with their only victory there this term coming in a qualifier for the continental tournament against Belarusian outfit FC Gomel.

Liverpool also struggled at Anfield last season under Rodgers' predecessor Kenny Dalglish, taking maximum points in just six of their 19 home Premier League matches.

It is something Rodgers finds difficult to comprehend, but he has stressed the players are working hard to address the issue and is not convinced they are suffering any kind of stage fright.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's home clash against Stoke, Rodgers said: "Sometimes it is just a confidence factor, and you also have to imagine that when any team comes to Anfield, it is one of the biggest games of the (visiting) players' lives.

"Playing at home is certainly not a distraction. I think to play at Anfield is a real h onour and a privilege and the support we get from the crowd is incredible.

"The backing we get every time we play there is fantastic, so it is just one of those statistics there is no explanation for.

"What you have to do is just try to work very hard.

"We have performed well there this season - in the Europa League (qualifying) game we have won, and we have come close in a number of the Premier League games and should have won.

"Obviously it overspills into last season as well, but psychologically, there is nothing there for me (in terms of a problem).

"We have just got to get the results - hopefully we can get some wins there and perform well for the rest of the season."

Following his appointment as manager over the summer, Rodgers has had a mixed start to his tenure at Liverpool, with the team accruing only five points from their opening six league fixtures.

He has been trying to introduce a dynamic, aesthetically-pleasing style of play at the club which is in sharp contrast to the direct approach Stoke are associated with.

It is hard to deny that the Potters have impressed in terms of the way they have adapted to life in the Premier League since their promotion in 2008, achieving consistent mid-table finishes under boss Tony Pulis.

Rodgers has nothing but praise for his opposite number and feels Stoke do not get the credit they deserve.

"No matter what brand of football you play, playing against any team in this league is difficult, and Stoke are certainly one of those teams," Rodgers said.

"I have great respect for Tony and the work he has done. He has taken Stoke a long, long way from the time he went in there.

"He got them promoted and they are now very much an established team at this level.

"There is no right or wrong way to play football - at the end of the day, it is about getting results.

"Tony has his way of working and I don't think t hey get enough praise for the actual football they do play.

"They do play some good football, but obviously, they have a stigma about playing a slightly longer game.

"You have to work as a team and defend against that, and then bring your own style to the game."

Meanwhile, Rodgers has spoken of how highly he rates Reds defender Daniel Agger, who has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.

"Daniel is a terrific player and I am absolutely delighted he has committed himself. It's a big boost for everyone connected with the club," said Rodgers.

"He's one of the best centre-backs in world football. His balance, his reading of the game, his defensive qualities and his ability to bring it out from the back is outstanding."

Adam explains Liverpool exit

Adam joined the Potters in the summer after just one season with the Reds and admits playing time was the biggest factor in his decision.

"I want to be a footballer - and that means playing on a Saturday afternoon," Adam told the Daily Mirror.

"I could have stayed at Liverpool and played maybe 15 to 20 times a season, but that isn't enough for me.

"I want to play 30 to 40 times a season.

"For me, playing on a Saturday is what being in his profession is all about and thankfully I'm at a club where the manager wants to use me.

"Obviously I know that I have to perform to stay in the team and I'm happy with that.

"We have good competition here and that is only a good thing for every member of the squad."

The Scotland international has no bad feelings on his return and claims he will always be grateful to former boss Kenny Dalglish for giving him the chance to play for Liverpool.

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it," sai d the 26-year-old. "It will be nice to go back and see a few familiar faces again.

"I was there for a year and it was a special year for me. Playing for a club the size of Liverpool was a real experience for me and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

"I'm a Stoke player now, though, and I'm looking forward to going back to Anfield and hopefully getting the three points.

"If we can perform the way we know we can, then we can win the game for sure."

Stoke are notorious for their direct approach but Adam rejects the notion that he has joined a mere long-ball team.

"Everyone labels this club as [playing from] back to front but, believe me, we have players who can pass the ball," said the former Blackpool man.

"We have a lot of quality here and I'm very happy to be part of that.

"I don't think the gaffer is going to change the way he approaches games, and rightly so. What he has achieved in the game with this club is absolutely inc redible.

"Tony's formula is obviously a successful one and he would be silly to try and change it too much.

"When you have a player like Peter Crouch up front, who is 6ft 7in, then why not use him?

"Yes, the new players who have arrived with me will hopefully add that little bit more quality to the team, but it's fundamental that we evolve as a team by playing the way the gaffer wants us to.

"If we do that, then we will enjoy even more success and, if we play to our capabilities, a top-10 finish is certainly a realistic aim for us."