'Raheem's extra work has paid off'

The first-team coach was quick to praise the attitude and hard work of the winger after he helped Brendan Rodgers' charges secure another crucial three points at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

In an exclusive chat with Marsh at Melwood, he also discussed the confidence in the camp ahead of Sunday's trip to Norwich City and the necessity for a repeat performance at Carrow Road.

Sunday's victory over Manchester City was met by great celebrations from the players and the supporters but you and the coaching staff seemed to enjoy it as well - how did it feel at the final whistle?

We did enjoy it and we knew it was a big game and then at the final whistle we were all celebrating, but we know it's only one step further up the road, so it was just enjoying the moment really.

Steven Gerrard believes the game sent out a statement to the rest of the Premier League. Do you agree?

Whether it's a statement or not I'm not so sure, but we have been playing well for a long time now and picking up points along the way, so I think our form suggests that if you are playing against us we will give you a tough game. Regardless of that game, whether we won or lost, I think in all of the games we have got left we will be tough to beat.

Will that victory also send out a statement, though, to the Liverpool players - that they are a match for any team in the league?

I certainly don't think we lack any confidence and self confidence at the minute as we have won 10 games on the bounce and picked up a lot of points since the start of the season. We are sitting at the top of the league and we don't need our confidence reinforced. We are playing really well at the moment and hopefully we can carry that through.

Every player performed well against Manchester City and Raheem Sterling played a pivotal role. What can you say about his development in particular this season?

I would just commend him really for the attitude he has shown to try and improve. He has played in a number of different positions; he played in behind the two strikers at the weekend and the fact he got his goal takes the burden off our main two strikers. He's been playing really well, he's been out on the training field doing some extra work trying to get more goals and he popped up again for us at the weekend.

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To score the goal he did showed such composure for his young age. He said that's something he has been working on in training, so as a coach is it good to see that work in training come off on the field?

It's great and all the players do that bit extra in training and it's not just Raheem. Whether you are a young player or more experienced, they do what is necessary. Raheem thinks he needs to do more work on his finishing to get more goals. We have the likes of Kolo Toure out there practising his heading and a lot of players do their specifics so they can improve on their own individual performances.

Norwich up next on Sunday and Carrow Road has been a happy hunting ground for Liverpool in recent times, with us winning our last four visits there. What's the message to the players ahead of this one?

I think Steven has already given the message hasn't he, saying this game is the most important and play the game as if it is the last game of your career - and that's the way we'll approach it. We'll try to win the game and try to get the three points and we'll push on from there.

At this stage of the season most opponents we play will have something to play for. Norwich are fighting for their lives to avoid relegation and have a new manager in Neil Adams, so how much of an effect will that have on the game?

It can be a boost for them can't it and it could go one way or the other. The new manager has come in and he will probably give a couple of players a game that haven't been playing previously. He might try something different tactically and it's something that we are aware of, having watched his team when he was in charge of the youth team. We are well briefed as to how he will probably play, so it will be interesting to see.

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The fact that Norwich are fighting to avoid relegation, just how dangerous an opponent does that make them?

Any team that have got something to fight for is dangerous. If you look at the Premier League there's only two or three teams that are actually sitting comfortably in mid-table, the rest are either fighting for the title, fighting for Europe or fighting for relegation - so we are all fighting tooth and nail to make sure we have something to show for it.

Daniel Sturridge picked up a knock against City and Jordan Henderson is suspended. Are you confident players can come in and continue the good work that has been done so far?

Confident, yes. We have good group of players and have a strong-knit group of players. We have only got a small squad but it's a well-balanced squad. The players who can come in are international players and they will equip themselves well.

You go to Norwich in search of an 11th straight victory - do you think being on such a run and currently leading the Premier League brings an added fear factor for the opponent?

I'm not so sure. Having been a player and played against teams in the past, when you come up against them you think 'they've won 10 on the bounce, they must be some team'. If you start well you can put them on the back foot right away, so we'll go there at the weekend and if we can start the game well it might just put them a little bit off their stride and give us an advantage.