Nervy Liverpool stay on course in Cardiff
● Second-half goals against relegation battlers keep Klopp’s men in the title race
Another one down. Another one beaten. Another game closer to the Premier League title Liverpool so desperately desire. It was not straightforward – far from it. The scoreline looks more comfortable than the game felt in the stadium. It was a 2-0 victory away from home and a return, once more, to the top of the Premier League table but they are clinging to Manchester City’s coattails only with fingernails and refusing to let go.
Liverpool continued to keep the pressure on with that game ahead they have maintained as City go into the Manchester derby on Wednesday, when three points will likely win them the trophy. It is Pep Guardiola’s final uncomfortable league fixture of the campaign.
What an afternoon to forget for Cardiff defender Sean Morrison. At one down, mistiming a header three yards out with an open goal so that the ball landed on his back, and then his catastrophic contribution to Liverpool’s second: seeing a clearance blocked by Roberto Firmino, then chasing back only to knock over Mohamed Salah for a penalty.
The header, in particular, was one of those moments to makeyouwonderifmaybethis really is Liverpool’s year.
Playing third-from-bottom is great towards the start or midway through the season – they are clearly the 18th worst team in the league at that point – but towards the end they become an entirely different animal, fighting for survival.
Like a cornered rat with nothing to lose, Cardiff have been going for the throat, unfortunate not to earn at least a point against Chelsea here a couple of weeks ago, when two late goals turned defeat into victory, and shocking relegation rivals Brighton with a win away from home in their last game. They could have got something against Liverpool, too.
Seagulls swooped and circled over the Cardiff City stadium all match in search of scraps, which was what most of the match offered up. Sadio Mane tried from 25 yards but shot well wide, then later in the half got in front of Morrison but headed a cross over the bar.
Nathaniel Mendez-laing beat Trent Alexander-arnold for pace down Liverpool’s right – as he did repeatedly all match, to the point where the Liverpool full-back shoved him needlessly when the ball went out of play shortly into the second half – and clipped a ball over to Junior Hoilett at the far post, but he decided to control the ball with his chest rather than attempt the header, so a good chance was blocked.
The birds will have enjoyed the thermals boosted from the stands but perhaps yesterday afternoon they were buoyed more than most match-days by the nervous energy from Liverpool’s players and the few thousand travelling supporters. That’s surely the only way to explain Liverpool’s mood for much of it.
A move on 22 minutes was the only hint of vintage Liverpool this season – Naby Keita and Salah were involved in a flurry of quick passing, ending in a ball slipped through by Mane, but when it came to the finish, Firmino shot over.
With a minute remaining until half-time, Cardiff came close to taking the lead. Joel Matip headed away a corner but failed to clear his own penalty area. Victor Camarasa scuffed a volley back but it bounced into Oumar Niasse – on loan from Everton, no less – who acrobatically steered the ball on target, forcing Alisson to tip over.
The goal Liverpool so craved finally arrived, three minutes before the hour and it was worth the wait. What did the net ever do to Giroginio Wijnaldum? The power with which he hit the ball was phenomenal. Alexanderarnold 2 Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates opening the scoring for Liverpool in Cardiff yesterday. Jurgen Klopp applauds the visiting fans, below. crossed from a corner and the midfielder struck a delicious half-volley.
Still there were shaky signs from the Premier League challengers: Jordan Henderson lashed over with plenty of time when Mane cut back and then came Morrison’s moment of horror. A Cardiff corner looped over everyone, leaving Alisson stranded, and reached Morrison at the back post. He had, in fairness, eased past his marker Mane, but with an open goal the defender dived too early, so the ball bounced off his back. Perhaps he had forgotten which end he was at, because it would’ve been an excellent defensive header. Whatever, it was comically lucky for Liverpool.
Fair play to Neil Warnock, who stood in his technical area yelling and complaining about every decision against his side, up until the penalty with ten minutes left. It’s a wonder Cardiff’s manager hasn’t spontaneously self-combusted on the touchline this season.
Similarly, Liverpool are refusing to implode. CARDIFF CITY: Etheridge, Peltier, Morrison, Ecuele Manga, Bennett, Gunnarsson, Hoilett (J Murphy 83), Victor Camarasa, Ralls (Bacuna 79), Mendez-laing, Niasse (Zohore 67). Subs not used: Smithies, Reid, Cunningham, Harris. LIVERPOOL: Alisson, Alexanderarnold (Gomez 86), Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Keita (Fabinho 71), Salah, Firmino, Mane, Fabinho (Milner 75). Subs not used:
Sturridge, Mignolet, Shaqiri, Origi.