Garcia and Riise on target as Reds eye top four finish

Norwich 1 Liverpool 2

The Reds needed to bounce straight back from their disappointing 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea on New Year’s Day and there was never any real danger of Rafael Benitez’s men losing further ground on the top four.

After an indifferent first half they found the net twice in as many minutes after the break with Luis Garcia and John Arne Riise the men on target.

While Liverpool will now be looking towards the transfer window for the likes of Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes to spearhead their hopes of European football, Norwich boss Nigel Worthington will need little reminding he must strengthen his squad - both at the back and in attack - if the Canaries are to avoid the drop, despite a late consolation goal from promising youngster Ryan Jarvis.

Rafael Benitez admitted everyone at Liverpool is “working hard” to bring quality players such as Fernando Morientes to Anfield, but insists he will not be rushed into any signings during this month’s transfer window.

The Reds recovered from the disappointment of their 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea on New Year’s Day by beating struggling Norwich at Carrow Road to maintain their push for a top-four finish.

With more than his fair share of injury problems - Xabi Alonso the latest to be sidelined with a broken ankle - the Spaniard knows he has to strengthen his depleted forces for the battles ahead on both domestic and European fronts this year.

However, Benitez insists any decision on new faces will be made for the right reasons, rather than just to add numbers to the Anfield ranks.

“This week we are working hard and trying to buy new players to increase the level of competition between the players but I am very happy with the squad,” he said. “If we find some players, then OK but if we don’t find 1/8 them 3/8 then we will go on with our players.”

The Liverpool boss added: “We have some possibilities, but I cannot say.”

Benitez’s side could have done with an injection of fresh legs at Carrow Road as they - along with the hosts - looked a bit lethargic during the first half. Norwich found themselves behind in the 57th minute after they lost possession on the edge of the Liverpool area.

Riise’s long, cross-field pass over the Norwich defence picked out Luis Garcia who coolly dispatched a lob over Green and into the net from just inside the box.

Liverpool then made a change just after the hour, bringing on Florent Sinama-Pongolle for Mellor, and the switch was to have an instant impact as it was soon 2-0.

Fleming’s clearance from the edge of the box cannoned into the Frenchman and his shot was well stopped one-handed by Green, but the goalkeeper could do little as Riise followed up to smash the ball in at the far post.

With 12 minutes remaining, Worthington threw England Under-19 striker Jarvis into the action for Francis and he produced a neat finish in the 88th minute, collecting Jonson’s flick on to cut inside substitute Djimi Traore and fire an angled drive past Dudek from 15 yards.

“In the first half, I think both teams played almost similar. Then in the second half we controlled the game and had many chances,” said Benitez.

“Only at the end, after they had scored, we could have controlled better,” said the Spaniard.He added: “It is important always to win but, if you win three games in nine days, then only lose against Chelsea when playing a good game, then that means we can think about being in the top four - and that gives us more confidence.

“We have played well with different players and have had three more victories.”

Canaries manager Nigel Worthington was left to reflect on what might have been, but had few complaints over his side’s performance.

“I thought the effort and commitment from the players was first class,” said the Norwich manager, who lost striker Leon McKenzie to a hamstring injury during the second half and will be without midfielder David Bentley next week after his fifth booking of the season.

“Up until the first goal, there was nothing in it. Their opening goal was a quality finish and then after Robert Green produced a great save, they made it two.

“The players, though, never dropped their heads. We got a great goal to come back into it and might even had a penalty.

“Over the last four games we have worked very hard but with little return - but that is the Premiership.”

On the handball incident with Carragher, Worthington said: “It is a fine line, but we are not going to moan and groan about it.

“Life is cruel sometimes but we will battle through. We will not have a whinge, just get on with it.”

NORWICH: Green, Helveg, Doherty, Fleming, Charlton, Jonson, Bentley, Mulryne (Brennan 67), Francis (Jarvis 78), Huckerby, McKenzie (Crow 67).

LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise (Traore 82), Nunez (Hamann 77), Diao, Gerrard, Warnock, Luis Garcia, Mellor (Sinama Pongolle 61).