Liverpool vs Cardiff City: Reds finish with a flurry to kill off Neil Warnock's men
Re-live all the action from Anfield
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool moved back to the top of the Premier League as Neil Warnock's assessment of Cardiff's hopes at Anfield proved accurate.
Warnock delivered a startling admission that trying to get a result on Merseyside was "virtually impossible" on the eve of the fixture, and his Bluebirds side rarely looked like proving him wrong.
Sadio Mane's brace, plus Mohamed Salah's strike and substitute Xherdan Shaqiri's first goal for the club sealed a 4-1 victory which was enough to move Liverpool three points clear of Manchester City.
The only blemish for Liverpool came when Cardiff striker Callum Paterson scored a scrappy goal, dashing the Reds' hopes of extending their run of clean sheets in the top-flight at home to 10 matches.
Paterson's effort seemed to set up a grandstand finish but in truth Cardiff were comfortably second best, with only two attempts at goal, in stark contrast to 19 from Liverpool, who enjoyed 80 per cent possession.
Re-live the action below
Liverpool 1-0 Cardiff
23 minutes
A rare forage forward for Cardiff, although they're doing very little to concern Liverpool. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been allowed to bomb on from right back and is playing largely as a right winger.
Liverpool 1-0 Cardiff
25 minutes
Alexander-Arnold, finding himself on the edge of the box, drags a left-footed shot wide. This game has so far resembled a training session. It's too easy for the home side.
Liverpool 1-0 Cardiff
28 minutes
Confusion in the box following a Liverpool corner. The ball eventually finds its way to Etheridge, but it's hardly convincing defending. Cardiff are dishevelled at the back
Liverpool 1-0 Cardiff
30 minutes
A bit of a warning for Liverpool that they can't completely cruise through this game. Camarasa runs at the back four and has options left and right, but he takes too long and loses the ball.
Liverpool 1-0 Cardiff
33 minutes
The visiting fans sing the Welsh national anthem in a rousing attempt to get their side going. Cardiff have had just 16% of the ball so far. The positive is that they are not more than one goal down.
Liverpool 1-0 Cardiff
38 minutes
Cardiff appear to have settled down somewhat after a very nervy start. Liverpool are still dominating possession, but they're not carving the visitors apart.
Liverpool 1-0 Cardiff
41 minutes
Liverpool are on course to set a record for possession here. They've so far enjoyed 86% of the ball. Klopp, though, would probably prefer to have sacrificed some of the possession for a couple of extra goals.
Cardiff, though they are yet to have a shot, are still in this.
Liverpool 1-0 Cardiff
45 minutes
Everything is a bit flat at Anfield as half time approaches. Liverpool have lost some of their early momentum and look to be cruising through the game in first gear. Cardiff have improved, and will be encouraged by the scoreline.
Liverpool 1-0 Cardiff
45 minutes
Liverpool so close to getting a second on the stroke of half time. Lallana's diving header beats Etheridge, but it's cleared off the line.
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