Stoppage-time winner gives Liverpool wild 5-4 victory over Norwich

NORWICH, England (AP) — Adam Lallana completed a wild 5-4 victory for Liverpool at Norwich just after Juergen Klopp's side appeared to have thrown away three English Premier League points in stoppage time on Saturday.

Norwich, having surrendered a two-goal lead in the second half, snatched an equalizer through Sebastian Bassong in the second minute of injury time.

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But play was still continuing two minutes later when Lallana chose the perfect moment to score his first league goal of the season with a mis-hit shot and secure Liverpool's first league win of 2016.

"A strange afternoon but we're just delighted to get the three points in the end," Lallana told BT Sports television. "When they scored in the 92nd or 93rd minute, you think it's going to be one of them days.

"But (Christian) Benteke nodded it down, next thing you know it's in the back of the net. It's three points which is massive for us after a few disappointing results."

Liverpool's own defensive failings were eclipsed by Norwich's at Carrow Road, and Klopp celebrated on the pitch by giving a shirtless Lallana a flying hug at the final whistle.

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But there's much work to do if the Reds are to advance to the League Cup final at the expense of Stoke, the visitors to Anfield for the semifinal second leg on Tuesday.

It looked like new signing Steven Naismith would be an instant hero for Norwich after Dieumerci Mbokani cancelled out Roberto Firmino's opener with a brilliant back-heel half an hour in.

Naismith scored his first Everton goal against Liverpool and, on his debut following his move from Goodison Park, the Scot struck again to give the Canaries a 2-1 halftime lead.

Poor defending allowed Norwich to further extend their advantage when Alberto Moreno felled Naismith in the box and Wes Hoolahan converted the resulting penalty.

Jordan Henderson reduced the deficit from a gaping hole in the Norwich defense, and another appeared allowing Firmino to equalize with his second goal.

Watch: Liverpool beats Norwich 5–4 in dramatic stoppage-time finish

James Milner converted for 4-3 after capitalizing on Russell Martin's dreadful pass back with 15 minutes to go before the late drama.

Bassong finished superbly from 22 yards for what he thought was the equalizer.

There was another twist to come, though, as Norwich failed to clear and Lallana's shot bounced and looped into the net.

"Unbelievable game," Klopp said. "It was not easy. We had a lot of problems in the game. I don't know what it was but it wasn't enough at the start of the game against a team searching for confidence.

"But we played football, we made it 1-0, we should have made it 2-0. But set-play, set-play, set-play, and they got more confidence."