LUIS SUAREZ claimed a stunning hat-trick as Liverpool clinched an emphatic 3-0 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road.

The striker capped a memorable performance with his first treble for the Reds to ensure Kenny Dalglish's side will go into FA Cup final week on a high.

Suarez netted with two clinical finishes in the first half and then completed the scoring in breathtaking fashion late on with a 45-yard lob over keeper John Ruddy.

It moves Liverpool back to within two points of Everton and Suarez now boasts 11 Premier League goals this season.

Dalglish made five changes following Liverpool's 1-0 defeat at home to West Brom six days earlier.

Skipper Steven Gerrard returned to the starting line up along with Jamie Carragher, Jonjo Shelvey, Stewart Downing and Craig Bellamy.

Martin Skrtel, Dirk Kuyt, Jay Spearing and Maxi Rodriguez dropped to the bench, while Andy Carroll was rested completely as a precaution due to a minor knock.

Norwich suffered an early setback when defender Adam Drury limped off and was replaced by Russell Martin.

The opening stages were desperately scrappy but the game came to life when Suarez struck in the 24th minute.

Gerrard dispossessed David Fox and his pass put the Uruguayan through. Suarez still got plenty to do but lashed an unstoppable left footer past Ruddy.

Suddenly, Liverpool were dominant and Gerrard almost added a second from Suarez's cross only for Elliott Bennett to get back and deflect his effort narrowly wide.

It mattered little because in the 28th minute the Reds were 2-0 up with Suarez conjuring up some magic out of nothing.

Suarez won a tackle with Elliott Ward on the right wing and galloped towards goal. The angle was tight but he unleashed a low piledriver past Ruddy and into the far post.

Liverpool maintained a firm stranglehold on proceedings and seven minutes before the break Suarez had appeals for a penalty turned down.

Ward appeared to grab him by the waist as Suarez attempted to latch on to Glen Johnson's throw but referee Mark Halsey ignored the pleas from the visitors.

Suarez would have had a clear run on goal to complete his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time but he was wrongly flagged offside by the assistant.

Former Everton striker James Vaughan came on for Fox at the start of the second half and the Canaries rallied briefly.

Bennett's 25-yarder was pushed behind by Pepe Reina and then Bradley Johnson nodded narrowly wide.

The Reds soon stepped up a gear and should have been out of sight before the hour mark.

Jonjo Shelvey headed against the bar after Suarez's shot had been blocked. The chances kept on coming with Shelvey sliding in but failing to convert Jose Enrique's cross before Downing was thwarted by Ruddy.

Suarez terrorised the Canaries throughout and when clear with only Ruddy to beat he went for the spectacular and clipped a lob over the bar.

Daniel Agger had a header cleared off the line as opportunities continued to go begging.

A third goal finally arrived eight minutes from time and it was worth the wait.

Suarez latched on to the ball just inside Norwich's half and dispatched a remarkable 45-yard effort over the stranded Ruddy and into the net.

Sebastian Coates and Dirk Kuyt replaced Suarez and Gerrard late on as the Reds cruised to a stylish triumph.