Match Report:Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool

Former Chelsea man Glen Johnson scored a superb winning goal just minutes from time to give Liverpool a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge. As is the way with this fixture now, all the build up centred around the fortunes, or misfortunes, of former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres who has endured a torrid spell since joining Chelsea last January, but the former player coming back to hurt his former club was wearing red in West London. Kenny Dalglish's side began the faster and looked the sharper of the two sides in the early exchanges as Chelsea lumbered about the park looking disjointed and, frankly, a little lost. Luis Suarez had already wasted two good chances to create glorious openings for his side before John Obi Mikel turned into trouble after Petr Cech's short goal kick just after the half hour. Liverpool took full advantage of the four on two with Craig Bellamy laying the ball into Maxi Rodriguez's path before the Argentine found the far corner of the net. Uruguayan striker Suarez was, despite not being at his best, being a real nuisance for a Chelsea back four that were all over the place in the first half and he should have stretched the lead before the break but fired wide from the edge of the box. Andre Villas-Boas brought Daniel Sturridge on at the interval and the England striker quickly justified his manager's faith with a simple finish after Florent Malouda's shot-come-cross dropped to him in the six yard box just ten minutes into the second half. The Blues suddenly found their game and looked more like their old selves and Pepe Reina had to be at his best to deny Branislav Ivanovic with a world class diving save down low to his left after the Serbian's powerful header. Chelsea had a few chances thereafter to win the game but they could not really find the right pass in the final third and were made to pay the ultimate price, just minutes after throwing on former Liverpool men Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles with less than ten minutes left. With three minutes to go Glen Johnson, once of Chelsea, took the ball down and drove beyond Ashley Cole before holding off Florent Malouda and keeping his head to slot the ball into the far corner despite the efforts of John Terry and a despairing Cech. Liverpool held on for a vital victory as they look to keep themselves in the title race, and also within touching distance of the Champions League places ahead of the visit of leaders Manchester City to Anfield next week. Chelsea were booed off the pitch at the full time whistle and the pressure will continue to mount on Andre Villas-Boas as the Blues continue to struggle in the league.

Match Report:Liverpool 1 Norwich 1

Liverpool paid the price for a stack of missed chances as they were held to a 1-1 draw by newly-promoted Norwich City at Anfield. Craig Bellamy fired the Reds in front just before the break but they failed to build on that breakthrough in the second half. Substitute Grant Holt headed Norwich level and it could have got even worse for Kenny Dalglish's side. A late flourish almost led to a winner for Liverpool but the ruthless streak the manager had demanded was absent. The Reds will rue the fact they struck the woodwork on three occasions and found former Everton keeper John Ruddy in inspirational form.However, two points were carelessly spurned and Liverpool now find themselves four points adrift of fourth placed Newcastle. It was a hugely frustrating night for Luis Suarez who couldn't capitalise on a host of opportunities and was on the receiving end of some dismal decisions by referee Peter Walton. Dalglish made two changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Manchester United. With Lucas Leiva suspended, Bellamy made his first league start since his return to Anfield from Manchester City this summer. There was also a first start of the season for Glen Johnson who replaced Martin Kelly at right-back after recovering from a hamstring injury.Liverpool flew out of the blocks but failed to make their early dominance count. Inside two minutes Martin Skrtel rose to meet Charlie Adam's corner and his header rattled the bar. Suarez then produced a sensational turn in the box but with only Ruddy to beat he blazed wide. In the 11th minute Bellamy raced down the left and picked out Suarez, whose volley was brilliantly turned on to the post by Ruddy. The rebound fell kindly for Downing but he failed to hit the target. Suarez wasted another opportunity soon after as he dragged his shot wide after latching on to Johnson's clever pass. Norwich survived that early onslaught and grew in confidence as the first half wore on. Wes Hoolahan got in behind the Reds' rearguard but fired too close to Pepe Reina who gathered at the second attempt. The Liverpool keeper was called into action again soon after to keep out Steve Morison's header. Frustration levels were growing inside Anfield when the Reds broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. Norwich failed to deal with Jose Enrique's long ball forward and Bellamy pounced. The Welshman burst into the box and his shot took a deflection off Marc Tierney before nestling in the corner. It was Bellamy's first league goal for Liverpool at Anfield since the game against Watford in December 2006. Liverpool were inches away from doubling their account six minutes after the interval. Suarez glided past Leon Barnett but his shot struck defender Russell Martin and rebounded back off the post. Norwich boss Paul Lambert brought on striker Holt in a bid to find an equaliser and the substitute made an instant impact on the hour. Anthony Pilkington whipped in a quality cross from the right and Holt rose to power a header past Reina. The Canaries were energised by that strike and could easily have led six minutes later. Holt nodded goalwards but Reina pulled off a fine reaction stop to push the ball away. Dalglish responded by taking off Bellamy and bringing on Jordan Henderson, while Andy Carroll came on for Downing soon after. Suarez continued to pose a threat but he couldn't find a way past the impressive Ruddy who turned a low drive behind. With 10 minutes to go Suarez went down under a challenge from Tierney when he was clean through on goal but to the home fans' disgust Walton waved play on. The Reds continued to press and came agonisingly close to winning the game in stoppage time. Carroll soared to meet Gerrard's cross six yards out but the big frontman inexplicably headed wide. Then in the 95th minute Gerrard turned provider for Suarez whose sweetly struck volley was brilliantly kept out by Ruddy.