SHIVER MERSEY

Warnock has never seen his side score at Anfield – and he fears the worst there today

CARDIFF are facing mission impossible at Anfield today, according to manager Neil Warnock. The Bluebirds boss believes Jurgen Klopp’s unbeaten side have the best forward line in the world and reacted to suggestions that Mo Salah will be rested by saying: “What? When he’s got a chance of scoring five or six against us?” Warnock’s team had struggled to find the net in their first season back in the Premier League until finding their shooting boots and scoring four against Fulham last week.

The 69-year-old (left) admits the odds for his side to complete back-to-back wins in the top flight for the first time since 1962 are realistic. “Somebody sent me the betting odds for this game the other night. We were 70-1 to win 1-0 and they were 50-1 to win 7-1. It’s a good job I don’t bet,” said Warnock.

“It is massive for us to go to Anfield. It is virtually impossible for any team to go there at the moment.

“Their front three is possibly the best in the club game in the world. I think we can cause them a few problems but we know we’ll have to play to the top of our potential to give them a good game and then hope they have a bit of an off-day.”

Warnock, whose side picked up their first Premier League win of the season with their 4-2 defeat of Fulham, will need to buck a personal trend if he is to get anything from Anfield. He has lost on all four occasions he’s been there without seeing his sides score a goal.

With Mo Salah scoring twice (right) as Liverpool beat

Red Star Belgrade 4-0 in the Champions League in midweek, and Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane also on target, even Kop boss Klopp believes he is finally seeing the Liverpool of last season that tore opponents to pieces.

Warnock expects them all to want to play again rather than take a breather against a team just above the relegation zone. So Daniel Sturridge (far right) may again be on the bench.

“Someone said to me they’ll rest Salah and I said ‘what, when he’s got a chance of scoring five or six goals against us?’ He’s going to want to play, isn’t he?” added Warnock.

“Players at that level are ready to have a couple of days’ rest and then get going again. I don’t expect many changes.

“Anyway, if those front three were injured, the next three aren’t bad either. Liverpool can put people to bed in a matter of minutes, you can never take your eye off the ball.”

The one place Warnock might be able to compete with Klopp is on the touchline, the setting for an interesting sideshow.

Klopp, delighted with his team’s Champions League performance, has been warned what to expect from the Cardiff boss.

The German said: “I am really looking forward to meeting him. I have heard a lot about him and he’s obviously, vocally-wise, very talented. It will be a big pleasure to meet him - maybe not during the 90 minutes but before and after, I’m sure.

“He looks like a character, a very emotional and lively person.

“I watched a lot of the final period of the Championship last year and it was impressive how Cardiff did it (got promoted).

“Of all the big English active managers, he’s the last one I have to meet. He is one of the most experienced managers in football.

“We are aware of the quality of Cardiff. Last week’s result would have given them a big boost but even before that they were not bad.

“They deserve all our respect and they will get it.”