Norwich City 2-3 Liverpool LIVE: Breathless start for Brendan Rodgers’ men as Sterling and Suarez score early goals

NORWICH, ENGLAND – APRIL 20: Raheem Sterling of Liverpool celebrates scoring the opening goal with Lucas Leiva of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Liverpool at Carrow Road on April 20, 2014 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Liverpool laid to rest any fears the Premier League title race pressure would get too much with a breathless start against Norwich on Sunday.

The Reds took the lead after just four minutes at Carrow Road, with fluid build-up play between Joe Allen, Jon Flanagan and Philippe Coutinho teeing up Raheem Sterling 35 yards from goal.

The youngster let fly with a sensational shot that took a slight touch of Michael Turner’s back and flew past John Ruddy, giving the Norwich goalkeeper no chance of making a save whatsoever.

The travelling fans were already singing “Now you’re gonna believe us, we’re going to win the league” when Steven Gerrard sent Sterling galloping down the left to carve out a good cross that Suarez finishes from close range – his 30th Premier League goal of the season.

The hosts showed plenty of signs that they were not out of the game yet, but with their players becoming increasingly frustrated Robert Snodgrass made a nasty challenge on Joe Allen and became the first player to be booked.

Despite the increasing pressure from the home side, Brendan Rodgers’ side stood firm.

Redmond threatened to change that when breaking into the box on the right hand side but his shot was wild when teammates were better placed in the centre, and then Gary Hooper was denied an opportunity when Simon Mignolet rushed out to claim a ball that was bobbling around the six-yard box.

Norwich came back quickly in the second half, Gary Hooper taking advantage of an unconvincing clearance from Mignolet to tap the ball home from just yards into an open goal, halving the deficit.

But the celebrations didn’t last long as Raheem Sterling proved his worth once again. Intercepting a sloppy pass from Bradley Johnson and running the entire length of the Norwich half, he got past a couple of defenders to shoot on target. His attempt deflected off Johnson’s legs and over a helpless John Ruddy.

Neil Adams’ side were fighting for their lives, trying again and again to get another goal in the net.

And t was Robert Snodgrass who got the hosts back in the game, directing a fine header into the top right-hand corner of Mignolet’s net to make it 2-3.

Hungry for an equaliser, Norwich sent on two attackers Josh Murphy and Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

The Dutch striker nearly did it, firing a downward header straight at Mignolet and creating an extremely nervous spell for Liverpool.

Brendan Rodgers’ men struggled to keep hold of the ball as four minutes of stoppage time went on the board.

And with seconds remaining Norwich won a free-kick just inside the Liverpool half. Even goalkeeper John Ruddy ran to the opposite end of the pitch to join every Canaries player – but Liverpool held firm at the death and go five points clear at the top of the table.