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As it happenedended

Liverpool vs Cardiff City: Reds finish with a flurry to kill off Neil Warnock's men

Re-live all the action from Anfield

Kieran Jackson,Callum Rice-Coates
Friday 26 October 2018 09:29 EDT
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Neil Warnock 'one of the most experienced managers in the world' - Jurgen Klopp

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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.

Callum Rice-Coates27 October 2018 15:24

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.

Callum Rice-Coates27 October 2018 15:26

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

Callum Rice-Coates27 October 2018 15:29

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.

Callum Rice-Coates27 October 2018 15:32

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.

Callum Rice-Coates27 October 2018 15:34

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. 

Callum Rice-Coates27 October 2018 15:39

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.

Callum Rice-Coates27 October 2018 15:43

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.

Callum Rice-Coates27 October 2018 15:47

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.

Callum Rice-Coates27 October 2018 15:48

Half time: Liverpool 1-0 Cardiff 

That's it for the first half. Liverpool are in control but only lead Cardiff by one goal.

Callum Rice-Coates27 October 2018 15:49

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