Grant Holt was simply looking forward to playing in front of the Kop – a few minutes later he was Norwich City's Anfield hero.

The cult Canaries striker made it 55 goals in yellow and green on his 100th appearance for the club, as the second-half substitute earned Paul Lambert's Premier League new boys an excellent point at Liverpool.

The club captain has had to settle for a bit-part role in recent weeks thanks to Steve Morison's form in the only striking role available, as City revel in their current 4-2-3-1 formation.

But there is no frustration. No annoyance. Only acceptance and patience – both of which Holt was rewarded for on Saturday.

'I said when I came on at least I'm going to be playing in front of the Kop,' beamed Holt. 'To score in front of the Kop is a fantastic feeling, but I'm just enjoying getting back some game time.

'Unfortunately for me the lads have been working absolutely fantastic the last few weeks and Stevie has done an unbelievable job. He's in fantastic form and he's working hard, and unfortunately for him at the minute he's just not getting that little rub of the green to get the goal.

'When someone's keeping you out of the team like that and performing in that way and the team's winning, that's fantastic for us.

'Everyone knows the manager brings in a squad of players and we've got a bunch of lads here who, no matter who's playing or sitting in the stands, we want everyone to win.

'I've just got to keep doing what the manager knows I can do. And when you get your chance try and put it in.

'It's never easy when you're getting 20-25 minutes here and there, and trying to get into the flow of the game, but every time you come on you've got to work hard. When the lads are winning it's a lot easier – not to sit there, but when they're performing well and Stevie's playing well and the team's doing well and winning, it's easy to sit there and say it's fantastic for the football club.

'In the Premier League you look at even the best clubs their players sit on the bench – and you've got to sit there, analyse it and say well done lads, and when you get your chance grab it with both hands.'

Liverpool missed their chances and hit the woodwork three times as they gave it both barrels to City in the first half. Holt added: 'They came out with a fantastic tempo. They pressed all over the park, worked hard, every time they got it they were going forward quickly and sharply.

'And they've got some fantastic players. You only have to look at their team. I thought the way Gerrard and Adam were picking a pass and Suarez's movement; fantastic.

'But we dealt with it and we were fortunate. John (Ruddy) made a good save and they've hit the bar with a header, but sometimes you need that bit of luck and in the last few weeks it has deserted us a little bit. We had a few little ricochets – Sunderland was one – so we've deserved it.

'We were unlucky to go one down at half-time, to concede when we did is never easy. But it's a fantastic team spirit again and that's what the manager has instilled for the last two years. Everyone has seen it, and the new lads have come in and got that belief and work rate.'

If Holt's header was superb, the cross from Anthony Pilkington was sublime. Holt said: 'He's been absolutely fantastic since he came to this football club. He got a few little jibes and critics about Manchester United, and he goes and gets two last week, fantastic again today and could have maybe had another one.

'The manager has brought in two great wingers (in Pilkington and Elliott Bennett) who want to work, who get up and down and they've got a fantastic delivery.'