Liverpool play host to Norwich City on Sunday afternoon as they look to record their first victory in all competitions since August 17, when they edged past Bournemouth.
Norwich travel to Merseyside having failed to overcome Liverpool in over two decades, but seven points from their first five Premier League fixtures represents their best start to a top-flight campaign since 1993.
Liverpool
© Getty Images
Brendan Rodgers would have been delighted with a return of seven points from three Premier League games from his newly-assembled squad but over the past few weeks, a number of problems have been exposed at Anfield.
The Merseyside giants look as uncertain in defence as they did last year, while their failure to directly replace Raheem Sterling has seen them lack pace and directness in the final third. Some of the arrivals will need time to settle, but so far, they are not performing like a team who have top-four aspirations.
The 3-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford drew criticism for their failure to create enough clear-cut chances. Their tactics seem focused on trying to bring Christian Benteke into play, but aside from his wonder goal last week, he too does not appear entirely happy with his game.
A draw in Bordeaux was encouraging but for long periods, Liverpool didn't offer much threat in front of goal, even with the recall of Philippe Coutinho who had missed the Manchester United setback through suspension.
They still sit in 10th place in the table, one position behind Sunday's opponents, but after being humbled by West Ham United in front of their own fans last time out, they cannot afford another defeat this weekend.
Recent form: WWDLL
Recent form (all competitions): WWDLLD
Norwich City
© Getty Images
After seeing his side thoroughly outplayed by Southampton before the international break, Norwich City boss Alex Neil may have feared that having two weeks to lick their wounds would not be overly beneficial to his side.
However, they showed against Bournemouth last weekend that they are capable of picking up results against teams of a similar level to themselves, and that has given the Canaries the platform to play without fear as they attempt to end a horrendous run against Liverpool.
That said, Neil's ambitions will sit higher than looking to claim a surprise victory against one of the biggest clubs in English football. While many of the games have come in the Championship, Neil has lost just five times in 31 matches since arriving from Hamilton Academical.
One of the surprise packages of the first few weeks of the season has been Wes Hoolahan, who has provided the most assists in the Premier League, and the Irishman was particularly influential against Bournemouth last weekend when he was given the freedom to run at the Cherries defence.
He may not get the same amount of time and space at Anfield, but against a side who have conceded three goals in each of their last two Premier League matches, he could benefit should the Liverpool defence continue to look indecisive when put under pressure.
Recent form: LWDLW
Recent form (all competitions): LWDWLW
Team News
© Getty Images
Coutinho is expected to form part of Liverpool's lineup in the final third after serving his one-match suspension for his red card against West Ham.
Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge will both be assessed over the weekend, while Mamadou Sakho could earn a starting role in defence after impressing in the Europa League.
As for Norwich, they will be without full-back Andre Wisdom, who is ineligible to face his parent club, while Gary Hooper and Youssouf Mulumbu are absent through injury.
However, the Canaries are boosted by the return of Steven Whittaker, who missed the last fixture because of a ban.
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Gomez; Lucas, Can, Milner; Coutinho, Ings, Benteke
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Brady; Redmond, Howson, Tettey, Jarvis; Hoolahan; Jerome
Head To Head
In the previous 48 meetings between the two sides, Liverpool have prevailed on 26 occasions, with Norwich winning just 10 times.
The Reds are currently unbeaten in their last 10 outings against Norwich, registering nine wins and scoring 33 goals in the process.
The last time the Canaries defeated Liverpool came 21 years ago when Jeremy Goss scored the only goal in a top-flight encounter at Anfield.
Video Preview
Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Liverpool 2-0 Norwich City
While Liverpool no longer possess the attacking artillery of Sterling and Luis Suarez, we believe that they can return to winning ways with a comfortable win at the weekend. Norwich bring a threat to Anfield, but they will be facing a team who know that improvements are needed if they are to remain in touch with the early pacesetters.
No Data Analysis info
