Liverpool vs Norwich City preview - Rodgers wants Reds to take more risks

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers wants to see his side taking more risks in attack as they bid to remedy their goalscoring problem.

The Reds have netted only three times in their opening five Barclays Premier League games this season but will be hoping for a considerable boost to the tally on Sunday when they host Norwich, against whom they have notched 21 goals in their past five meetings.

And even with a fresh injury blow for club captain Jordan Henderson, who faces a further eight weeks out of action, Rodgers is hopeful his side can respond in the desired fashion.

And Rodgers said ahead of the contest at Anfield: "It is about risk-taking.

"I think, for some reason, that wee bit of risk has gone out of our game.

"We need to ensure we take those risks in order to create in the game and bring that intensity to it.

"The players have been working really hard at that over the last week or so and it only takes that one performance to spin the season around again."

Liverpool - with seven points so far, the same as newly-promoted Norwich - go into Sunday's match having lost their previous two league games, 3-0 to West Ham and then 3-1 at Manchester United.

In terms of risk-taking, Rodgers may well be thinking of the kind of individual moments of daring that saw Christian Benteke score acrobatically at Old Trafford - or Adam Lallana nutmeg an opponent before slotting in during Thursday's 1-1 Europa League draw at Bordeaux.

Rodgers has expressed his confidence about things improving for the Reds as various personnel become available again, with Daniel Sturridge and Joe Allen in contention to make their comebacks from injury on Sunday.

Henderson, though, has broken a bone in his right foot in training on Friday - just as he was due to return from a heel problem.

Lallana himself was returning to action on Thursday after a month sidelined by a thigh problem, and Rodgers afterwards hailed the midfielder's "outstanding" goal, adding: "It was his touch and creativity which we have not seen so much of this season."

And as he looked ahead to the Norwich game, Rodgers said of Lallana: "I think when he's played he has been excellent and if he plays consistently over a period of time, Adam will reach the numbers that we would like from him - I think it is only injuries that have curbed that so far.

"His goal on Thursday will be great for his confidence. He has not been training that long, so to come through 90 minutes of a game at that level and score the goal he did shows he has got his eye back in very early and he will be looking to push on now."

Liverpool also have key playmaker Philippe Coutinho available again after he missed the United defeat due to a one-match suspension.

Defender Kolo Toure is being assessed having sustained a dead leg in the Bordeaux contest.

Norwich manager Alex Neil says the Canaries will take confidence from Liverpool's unconvincing home form.

The Reds were thrashed 3-0 at home to West Ham three weeks ago while their 1-0 win over Bournemouth relied on a Benteke goal, which should have been ruled out for offside.

The Canaries beat Bournemouth last week to move level with Liverpool on seven points in the table and Neil admits his side have nothing to fear.

"Going to one of the top six away from home is always going to be tough," Neil said.

"But as some of the other teams have shown this season it's more than achievable to go there and give a good account of yourself and hopefully get something from the game."

Neil told Norwich City TV: "When you look at the other sides who have gone there and done relatively well - Bournemouth got beaten 1-0 and gave a good account of themselves, and we were better than Bournemouth in our game.

"Liverpool are a good side though, they're well managed and we're going to have to make sure we put in a good performance."

Norwich have certainly not looked out of their depth since arriving in the top flight but they are yet to face a side who finished in the top six last season.

Liverpool will provide a stiffer examination of the Canaries' survival credentials and Neil insists his players will not be backing off against the Reds.

"We can't be gung-ho or silly about how we approach the match but we'll approach it in the fashion that we'll go to win the match," Neil said.

"We've got to go to Anfield believing that we can win. I think that's the biggest bit, the players must go there and believe that they can do that.

"The thing I say to the players is that the worst thing that can happen is that you'll lose the game. Why be scared?

"Go and give it your best shot, and if it's not enough on the day we'll dust ourselves down, get ready and go again."

Lewis Grabban has been short of fitness but the striker resumed training this week and is in contention to play for Norwich at Anfield.

Andre Wisdom is on loan from Liverpool and ineligible while Gary Hooper and Youssouf Mulumbu are out with ankle and foot injuries respectively.