Luis Suarez has been a deep thorn in Norwich's side in past meetings with two hat-tricks against the Canaries and his inclusion in the starting eleven surely drew worries from the visiting fans who had the positive that SAS partner, Daniel Sturridge would not be in the team after last week's injury.
Rodgers brought in Coutinho, Allen and Agger in place of Moses, Lucas and Toure but could have found his side behind early on as Howson swept in a superb volley that went over with Coutinho responding by swaying past three Norwich defenders and hitting for goal only to be denied by Bassong.
Hoolahan tested the Liverpool defence with a dash past Allen resulting in a bouncing shot towards the corner that was easily taken by Mignolet, Henderson hit wide after nice play from Suarez and the midfielder had another good chance after being played in by Johnson.
The entire stadium soon found themselves stunned as Suarez unleashed a spectacular volley from 40 yards that sailed over the ailing Ruddy and into the net to the to the joy of a shocked but ecstatic Anfield crowd to reignite his amazing record against the visitors and hit past Ruddy from 30+ yards for the third season in a row.
Canaries' fans worries about the Uruguayan soon proved more damaging in a six minute period from the 29th minute which began with Coutinho sweeping in a corner that was expertly dummied by Gerrard and found Suarez who smashed home from close range with a superb volley. Redmond hit a free-kick at Mignolet but the Belgian denied him any chance of a comeback goal.
Norwich's hopes of any comeback were dashed further by their nemesis as Suarez completed his hat-trick after advancing on goal and cleverly lifting the ball over his marker to clip an effort which flew past Ruddy and made history for the striker as he became the first player in Premier League history to hit three hat-tricks against the same club as Norwich went into the break 3-0 down possibly praying that the hat-trick hero wouldn't make it out for the second half.
However, their moods dropped as he appeared from the tunnel but it was their side that had the first chance as Bassong powered a header over the crossbar after being picked out by Redmond. Liverpool could have gone 4-0 up as Coutinho had a chance from a free-kick but hit wide and Gerrard forced a reflex save from Ruddy with a header after being spotted by Sterling.
Redmond had an attempt from the left which went past the post but Suarez looked to punish Norwich further on the hour mark as he hit an effort that Ruddy denied with a fingertip save and Alberto replaced Henderson.
Liverpool earned a free-kick in an excellent position and as Suarez stepped up the visiting fans hearts sank as he hit an amazing curler that glided past Ruddy to all but complete the win but the deficit was soon reduced after Redmond who had been Norwich's best player on the night hit a cross into the area that found the head of Bradley Johnson who claimed a consolation as it went in past Mignolet for 4-1.
Liverpool had a great chance for a fifth as Gerrard flicked the ball towards goal only to see it hit the post and come back out but the Reds soon increased their winning margin to four as Suarez squared the ball to Sterling who scored with a nice finish to complete the rout.
An amazing Anfield night to rival so many from the past but I think one positive that Norwich can take is that they won't have to face Suarez again until mid-April that is unless they get the unlucky fate of being matched with Liverpool in the upcoming FA Cup third round, as for Liverpool despite dropping to fourth over the weekend to be near the top in December for the first time since the 2009 title challenge is an achievement.
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