Liverpool striker Luis Suárez scored a first-half hat-trick in a 5-1 thrashing of Norwich at Anfield to become the first Premier League player to score three hat-tricks against the same team.
The Uruguayan broke the deadlock on 15 minutes when his stunning volley from 35 yards looped over John Ruddy after the goalkeeper's poor clearance had been headed forward by Steven Gerrard.
Suárez doubled the advantage in the 29th minute with a close-range volley after Norwich defence had failed to stop Philippe Coutinho's corner from the left.
His hat-trick came six minutes later when he lifted the ball over the helpless Leroy Fer before firing a right-footed effort past Ruddy from 20 yards.
The 26-year-old added a fourth goal on 74 minutes as he curled an excellent 30-yard free-kick over the wall and into the net.
Bradley Johnson headed home a consolation for the Canaries with seven minutes remaining before Suárez set up Raheem Sterling to score late on to round off the win.
"It was a remarkable individual performance," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said after the match.
"I always like to talk about the team but you've got to hold Luis up tonight as one of the best strikers in the world. It was an incredible performance.
"If you put him out on the pitch, you know you're going to get determination and the will and the desire to succeed, which is important, but the quality of his finishing is just at a really high level - and none more so than tonight."
Suárez previously scored two trebles against Norwich in April and September of last year, and now has 11 goals in five appearances against the Canaries.
"Before the game I did not know about that, but afterwards some of the players told me," Suárez told the club's website.
"It's good for me, for my future and for my history. But I think for the club it will give us confidence for the next game.
"When I play (against Norwich), I don't feel a difference. I think today is a lucky day and the most important thing is that I tried to help the team."
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| Luis Suárez has now scored 11 times in his last four appearances for Liverpool against Norwich Photo: Getty Images |
The Uruguayan broke the deadlock on 15 minutes when his stunning volley from 35 yards looped over John Ruddy after the goalkeeper's poor clearance had been headed forward by Steven Gerrard.
Suárez doubled the advantage in the 29th minute with a close-range volley after Norwich defence had failed to stop Philippe Coutinho's corner from the left.
His hat-trick came six minutes later when he lifted the ball over the helpless Leroy Fer before firing a right-footed effort past Ruddy from 20 yards.
The 26-year-old added a fourth goal on 74 minutes as he curled an excellent 30-yard free-kick over the wall and into the net.
Bradley Johnson headed home a consolation for the Canaries with seven minutes remaining before Suárez set up Raheem Sterling to score late on to round off the win.
"It was a remarkable individual performance," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said after the match.
"I always like to talk about the team but you've got to hold Luis up tonight as one of the best strikers in the world. It was an incredible performance.
"If you put him out on the pitch, you know you're going to get determination and the will and the desire to succeed, which is important, but the quality of his finishing is just at a really high level - and none more so than tonight."
Suárez previously scored two trebles against Norwich in April and September of last year, and now has 11 goals in five appearances against the Canaries.
"Before the game I did not know about that, but afterwards some of the players told me," Suárez told the club's website.
"It's good for me, for my future and for my history. But I think for the club it will give us confidence for the next game.
"When I play (against Norwich), I don't feel a difference. I think today is a lucky day and the most important thing is that I tried to help the team."
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