Liverpool close in on league title

Source:Agencies-Global Times Published: 2014-4-20 23:33:01

Liverpool took a giant step toward their first title in 24 years with a 3-2 win at a plucky Norwich City on Sunday, opening up a five-point lead over second-­placed Chelsea with three matches remaining.

Two goals from Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez's 30th league strike of the season helped them to their 11th consecutive Premier League victory and ensured them a top-four finish and qualification for next season's Champions League, the first time they have reached Europe's elite club competition since 2009-10.

They moved to 80 points, five ahead of Chelsea who suffered a shock 2-1 defeat by last-placed Sunderland on Saturday, while third-placed Manchester City, on 71 points and with two matches in hand, play West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

Norwich, who remain mired in the relegation battle in 17th place, two points above Cardiff City and Fulham and three ahead of Sunderland, failed to roll over for their higher-placed opponents.

Quick-fire early goals from Sterling and ­Suarez put the ­visitors in control, before Gary Hooper ­replied for Norwich in the 54th minute.

Sterling appeared to have made the points safe with a deflected shot minutes later, but a late Robert Snodgrass header obliged Liverpool to endure a nervy last 10 minutes.

Liverpool need seven points from their remaining three games to win the league and can eliminate Chelsea from the title race by winning at home to Jose Mourinho's side at the weekend.

"It was massive," Rodgers told Sky Sports. "We said before the game, every victory at this stage of the season, whether you're top, middle or bottom, is important, and I thought we showed great courage today.

"We will go into the next three games looking to perform well. We want to continue to fight and now look to Chelsea next week, where it will be an incredible atmosphere at ­Anfield."

Suarez, who now has 12 league goals in five matches against Norwich, refused to get carried away with their position. "In football you never know what can happen," the Uruguayan told Sky Sports.

Suarez is now one goal short of the record goal tally for a 38-game Premier League season, which is jointly held by Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Norwich face Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in their final three matches, but manager Neil Adams said Sunday's performance gave him hope they would avoid the drop.

"We had a belief we could go and do something against the top sides," he said.

Agencies - Global Times

Posted in: Soccer

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