Gerrard: Time to start winning

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits the club’s winless start to the season has increased pressure on the players ahead of their trip to Norwich today (3pm).

The Reds have taken just two points from their opening five Premier League matches, which have included home games against champions Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.

They now have fixtures against Norwich, Stoke and Reading (both at home) which, ordinarily, they would be expected to garner at least seven points. However, Gerrard believes their current low points tally means away draws at places like Carrow Road are no longer acceptable.

“We have a run of games where there are points we should be taking but the longer it (not winning) goes on the more difficult it is going to get so it is important against Norwich we take maximum points,” said the 32-year-old.

“I think what we need to do is keep playing like we have done and hopefully we’ll get the rub of the green, get referee’s decisions in our favour and we will go on and take maximum points.”

Manager Brendan Rodgers believes the United game was a turning point and as they head to Norfolk, where last season Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win.

“The last three seasons, Norwich have been strong at Carrow Road — but if we can get the same result as last year we’ll be fine,” he said.

Scoring goals is Norwich’s main problem. Last season’s top goal scorer Grant Holt has yet to get off the mark but boss Chris Hughton is unconcerned. “The best strikers around, the Rooneys, have been through long periods when they haven’t scored. If your forward players are contributing towards a performance then that’s first and foremost. If they continue to do that it is only a matter of time before they score goals.”

Norwich will be without on-loan striker Harry Kane, who injured a foot in the Capital One Cup game against Doncaster and is out for two months, while centre back Sebastien Bassong (hamstring) is also doubtful.