Liverpool 4-1 Cardiff: 3 things we learned
By Liam Bekker
Liverpool walked away as 4-1 victors over Cardiff in their Premier League clash. Here are three things we learned from the match.
A comfortable win over Cardiff on Saturday saw Liverpool extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to 10 games. A well-taken brace from Sadio Mane and goals from Mohamed Salah and Xherdan Shaqiri earned the Reds all three points. Here are three things we learned:
Liverpool finally concede
Having not conceded a goal at Anfield since February 2018, Liverpool looked well on their way to recording a club-record 10th consecutive home clean sheet against Cardiff. Such hopes were dashed late in the second-half though when a slice of misfortune — or fortune, depending on your point of view — resulted in Cardiff forward Calum Paterson prodding home past Alisson.
Paterson’s goal brought an end to an incredible defensive run which saw Liverpool not conceded a goal at fortress Anfield for 918 minutes.
918 - Callum Paterson's goal for Cardiff is the first goal Liverpool have conceded at Anfield in the Premier League since February, ending a run of 918 minutes without conceding. Penetrated.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 27, 2018
Shaqiri a member of the new fab four
Xherdan Shaqiri maintained his excellent form of late by coming off the bench to score his first goal for Liverpool. In doing so, the former Bayern Munich and Inter star became the first Swiss player to score for the club.
The 27-year-old has received widespread praise for his impressive performances this season and looks to have become an important figure in Jurgen Klopp’s attacking philosophy. Liverpool’s front three of Roberto Firmino, Mane and Salah — who accounted for three of the club’s four goals on the day — formed what was dubbed the “Fab Four” with Philippe Coutinho last season and with the Brazilian having since departed, Shaqiri looks set to be the man to step up in his place.
🇨🇭 Xherdan Shaqiri is the first Swiss player to ever score a competitive goal for Liverpool. #LFC
— Liam Bekker (@LiamBekker) October 27, 2018
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Cardiff appear relegation fodder
Despite not currently occupying a spot in the drop zone, Neil Warnock’s Cardiff side look set for a proper relegation battle. The Welshman have won only once in their opening 10 matches this season and have looked particularly poor away from home.
Positives can be taken from the fact that they were able to net against Liverpool despite the gulf in class between the two sides but they will know that much improvement is needed if they are to turn their season around.