FT: LIVERPOOL 4 - 1 CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

[NYCBlue]

City fans sounded good on the telly again.

[the other bob wilson]

It was a routine win for Liverpool at Anfield in 2013 after they led 3-0 at half time and it was the same again today. Ten games in and now the season defining stage starts - there'll be all sorts of patronising stuff written and said about us after this game, but the fact of the matter is that we have three sides below us after an opening spell where we've played, and lost to, all of the current top six. Our record against the other thirteen sides at the moment is one defeat in four and we've won as many as we've lost - a repeat of that form over our next nine matches and we should have a bit of distance between ourselves and the relegation places going into the new year.

[jamieccfc]

17th

after the teams we’ve played we’re in a decent position the next 9 games will show us if we can stay up

[MacAdder]

4 - 1 in the blink of an eye.

Scoreline realistic but we had fun for a few mins

Couple of sloppy goals given away and possibly shoring the midfield up instead of bringing Zohore on may have made it a bit closer but can't be too critical after playing against a top European side. Paterson looked offside too.

We can't be too downhearted going into the next 3 or 4 games which we can look upon as winnable.

It's as you were at the bottom with only Newcastle picking up a point against Southampton who are also down there.

[surge]

It was a routine win for Liverpool at Anfield in 2013 after they led 3-0 at half time and it was the same again today. Ten games in and now the season defining stage starts - there'll be all sorts of patronising stuff written and said about us after this game, but the fact of the matter is that we have three sides below us after an opening spell where we've played, and lost to, all of the current top six. Our record against the other thirteen sides at the moment is one defeat in four and we've won as many as we've lost - a repeat of that form over our next nine matches and we should have a bit of distance between ourselves and the relegation places going into the new year.

I can't help but think of last year where we couldn't lay a glove on Manchester City in the cup but performed in games that mattered whereas Bristol City showed a lot of promise in losing efforts to big 6 sides and fell away in the league. If we're repeating that then think we should be happy enough. I was also thinking about what would keep me feeling positive after last week even though we were always likely to lose and this seems to have met my target, especially if other results continue to go our way.

[life on mars]

after the teams we’ve played we’re in a decent position the next 9 games will show us if we can stay up

That's the spirit 👍

[Michael Morris]

FT Liverpool 4 - 1 Cardiff City. Callum Paterson with a consolation goal that gave Liverpool a scare and stopped a club record.

Mo Salah's 9th minute goal put Liverpool ahead and despite almost no possession Cardiff managed to hold onto that scoreline until half time.

The Bluebirds couldn't manage an effort at all in the opening 45 mins and didn't touch the ball in the Liverpool box. But with Liverpool only having one shot on target (the goal) from eleven efforts Cardiff kept in the game.

The defenders were busy and Neil Etheridge was relieved to see Virgil Van Dijk's header hit the post. Salah looked to earn himself a penalty with a theatrical fall under minimal pressure from Sean Morrison (pictured) but the referee correctly waived it away.

City did manage to have a couple of decent counter attacks but the final ball was cut out when better delivery to Josh Murphy could have given Cardiff a couple of very good chances to score.

The risk though is that Liverpool are so quick and skillful they get forward in the blink of an eye, as City discovered for the fourth goal.

The second half started with Liverpool not quite up to the intesity of the first half and were given a scare when Sean Morrison was caught offside as he headed a ball into the six yard box, but the flag was up before City scrambled the ball into the net.

Backed by a superb away support Cardiff remained in the game but it looked like it was all over when Sadio Mane resisted a couple of challenges and got a decent deflection to set up a rocket shot past Etheridge.

But that spurred Cardiff forward and Junior Hoilett's cross was touched by Virgil Van Dijk, Callum Paterson reacted to get the final touch to score. The goal increased the noise from the away fans, gave Liverpool something to think about and was the first league goal conceded at Anfield by Liverpool since February, 918 minutes ago and ending a run that would have seen a club record if they kept a clean sheet today

Cardiff put Kenneth Zohore on for the final 7 mins but before he had chance to have any influence Liverpool were back in front. Shaquiri's quick feet and thinking made space to slot past Etheridge and then Mane put on the after-burners to run onto Salah's inch perfect defense splitting pass, the Senegalese striker clipping the ball into the net.

4 - 1 made it a realistic scoreline based on the dominance but for those two quick goals in the last five minutes it could have been a nervous finish for the home side.

Cardiff move on, bigger games to come as we face nine games in the run up to Decebmer 26th (half way point of the season) against teams in the middle of the table.Starting next Saturday at home to Leicester.

[Michael Morris]

Attendance today: 53,373

[Michael Morris]

Cardiff completed 120 passes in this match - just nine more than Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum managed during the game (111).

[IanD]

BBC sports website has "Reds in full voice" - really? Maybe for the last 5 minutes!

89 mins and 47 seconds before Liverpool fans managed an Allez Allez.
The place is a morgue. Worse than Arsenal and Chelsea. Cardiff fans singing " where's you famous atmosphere?" Shocking lack of Liverpool support.

[splott parker]

We looked as though we deserved a free kick near the touchline before they were awarded a free kick on the halfway line which led to their third goal, also Camarasa seemed to be bundled over just inside their half, no free kick and they broke to score the fourth. Ok they deserved to win of course but these are fine margins, the ‘big’ clubs do seem to get the rub of the green.

[IanD]

Agreed. Camarasa was brought down and we should have had a free kick. A few decisions went against us in the second half. Otherwise the ref was OK. I was suprised at what a dirty, moaning cheat Salah is. Bring on Leicester.

[SABlue]

Our Fans were absolutely AMAZING ..........

Didn't stop singing the entire match

[SABlue]

Just watched the match on Sky - game of the day ........ it's just a pity Morrison & Bamba keep going to ground (throwing themselves in the tackle) you'd have thought NW would have gotten rid of that mentality...... No way we deserved to go down 4-1.

Still well proud of the boys

5 of the top 6 teams played in our first 10 games ......... I can see us upsetting a few teams before Christmas

[ccfc_ex_squaddy]

89 mins and 47 seconds before Liverpool fans managed an Allez Allez.
The place is a morgue. Worse than Arsenal and Chelsea. Cardiff fans singing " where's you famous atmosphere?" Shocking lack of Liverpool support.

Same last time we were there real disappointment with atmosphere

[KenfigBlues]

. .

[jon1959]

Just watched the match on Sky - game of the day ........ it's just a pity Morrison & Bamba keep going to ground (throwing themselves in the tackle) you'd have thought NW would have gotten rid of that mentality...... No way we deserved to go down 4-1.

Still well proud of the boys

5 of the top 6 teams played in our first 10 games ......... I can see us upsetting a few teams before Christmas

6 of the top 6 teams played in our first 10 games, although only 5 of the 'top 6' teams played in our first 10 games.....