Cardiff 0-2 Liverpool AS IT HAPPENED: Jurgen Klopp's side reclaim top spot from Man City
LIVERPOOL regained their place at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win at Cardiff that restored their two-point lead over Manchester City. See how the action unfolded with Express Sport.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Keita, Mane, Salah, Firmino
Liverpool, who have lost just once in the league all season, have 88 points while City, who beat Tottenham 1-0 on Saturday, are on 86 but have a game in hand.
That extra game for City will be played on Wednesday when Pep Guardiola's side travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United and the champions will make the short trip with the pressure firmly back on.
Georginio Wijnaldum broke the deadlock for Liverpool with a first-time strike from a clever short corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Sean Morrison then missed a golden opportuntity for relegation-threatened Cardiff to equalise, making a hash of a header when he had an open goal at his mercy.
Late in the game, Morrison was judged to have pulled down Mohamed Salah in the box and substitute James Milner converted the 81st minute penalty to make sure of the crucial three points for Juergen Klopp's side.
Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino return to starting XI
Fabinho, James Milner and Divock Origi drop to the bench for Jurgen Klopp
Cardiff are unchanged from the side which won 2-0 at Brighton in midweek
Georginio Wijnaldum gives Liverpool the lead with emphatic finish
James Milner converts penalty after Salah goes over
Cardiff vs Liverpool: Premier League fixtures, table, score and updates (Image: REUTERS)
CARDIFF 0-2 LIVERPOOL
FT: And there you have it. Liverpool’s title charge keeps on going with a tough victory over a resilient Cardiff. All eyes on Old Trafford in three days time…
92: So, yet again, Liverpool respond to a Manchester City win with a win of their own. The Reds go a point clear of their title rivals - meaning Pep Guardiola’s side have to win at Manchester United on Wednesday. Pressure…
90: Close! Mohamed Salah flashes a shot across goal and Neil Etheridge makes a fine save. Three minutes added time.
88: Liverpool playing it safe now. The visitors are just knocking it around the midfield looking to protect their clean sheet.
Cardiff vs Liverpool: Premier League fixtures, table, score and updates (Image: GETTY)
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 21, 2019
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85: Aaron Gunnarsson wasn’t impressed with the decision to award the penalty. He’s booked for his protests. Neil Warnock isn’t as animated as usual - but is quite close to the fourth official. A most unimpressed look written all over his face.
Joe Gomez replaces Trent Alexander-Arnold.
CARDIFF 0-2 LIVERPOOL | MILNER
82: Who else? James Milner is the coolest man in the stadium as he sends Neil Etheridge the wrong way to wrap up the points for Liverpool.
He celebrates by miming a walking stick. Veteran, yes. Exceptional banter? I’m not so sure.
Cardiff vs Liverpool: Premier League fixtures, table, score and updates (Image: REUTERS)
PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!
81:Referee Martin Atkinson has no hesitation in point to the spot as Sean Morrison wrestles Mohamed Salah to the floor. Quite a theatrical fall but the Cardiff defender’s arms were wrapped around him.
80: This game is getting seriously stretched now as Cardiff win themselves a corner. Liverpool clear and Joe Ralls pulls his hamstring while chasing Sadio Mane. Leandro Bacuna replaces him for the closing staged.
78: Very quick visit indeed from Fabinho. He’s taken off with James Milner taking his place. No risks when it comes to health and safety.
75: Ouch! Fabinho, who’s only been on the pitch for a few moments, takes a whack to the side of the head and the medical staff rush over. He’s taken off the pitch for another check. We’ll wait to see what happens with that.
Cardiff vs Liverpool: Premier League fixtures, table, score and updates (Image: REUTERS)
72:Oumar Niasse off, Kenneth Zohore on. Fabinho replaces Naby Keita.
69:Arsenal are doing their level-best to rid themselves of Champions League football next season as James McArthur gives Crystal Palace a 3-1 lead at the Emirates. Chelsea the big winners this weekend - and they haven’t even played!
66: What?! Stop what you are doing and find a video of this miss from Sean Morrison! Alisson flaps at a corner and the ball drops for the Cardiff star, who only has to head into an empty net from two-yards out. Somehow the ball floats high and wide. Unbelievable.
62: Georginio Wijnaldum's goal is just his second to be scored away from home in the Premier League, with the other 19 all coming in home games.
No players have assisted more Premier League goals for Liverpool this season than Andrew Robertson (9) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (8).
59: I’d love to know the speed of the ball when Wijnaldum struck it. One of the hardest and sweetest strikes you’ll see this season.
Gini Wijnaldum gets Liverpool the goal they were looking for!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 21, 2019
CARDIFF 0-1 LIVERPOOL | WIJNALDUM
57: Well I told you it was coming… but I really didn’t expect it to happen like that!
Trent Alexander-Arnold whips in the corner and Georginio Wijnaldum finds space before thumping home emphatically with a crisp first-time finish.
Liverpool return to the top of the Premier League!
56: Mohamed Salah gets behind the Cardiff defence far too easily and sees his cross thumped behind for a corner. Trent steps up…
55: It’s coming. It’s defiantly coming. Cardiff can’t escape their own half as Liverpool pile on the pressure. Trent Alexander-Arnold shoots wide from distance.
54: Whoosh! Wijnaldum wins the ball back from a dithering Camarasa and immediately slips it through to Mane, who curls it narrowly past the post. Jurgen Klopp applauds - he looks a bit happier with the speed of Liverpool’s transition.
Cardiff vs Liverpool: Premier League fixtures, table, score and updates (Image: REUTERS)
51: Chance!Cardiff have started strongly with Sean Morrison heading over from close range. The cross was slightly too high to get a clean connection. Encouraging for the relegation-threatened side.
48:Arsenal have levelled two minutes after the break through Mesut Ozil. Alexandre Lacazette picks out Ozil with a perfectly weighted reverse pass and the German finds the net from a tight angle. It’s 1-1 at the Emirates.
CARDIFF 0-0 LIVERPOOL
45: And we’re back underway. Liverpool were made to wait by Cardiff, who all took part in a warm up on their way out of the tunnel. Interesting move. No changes at the break.
Cardiff vs Liverpool: Premier League fixtures, table, score and updates (Image: REUTERS)
Cardiff vs Liverpool: Premier League fixtures, table, score and updates (Image: REUTERS)
Twitter round-up
Ashley: No idea why the media assume Liverpool fans are nervous? Whatever happens it’s been Liverpool’s best season in years. Record points finish and semi finals of the Champions League.
Chris: Cardiff making a real go of this. Bouncing off the impact of that win at Brighton. Far more organised than we’ve seen in months previous. Liverpool with the big chances and all the ball - as you’d expect - but this is proving tougher than some predicted.
Including me, Chris. Neil Warnock’s side have been excellent. Those legs could get tired in the second half though.
Christian Benteke pounces to give Palace the lead against Arsenal.
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 21, 2019
CARDIFF 0-0 LIVERPOOL
HT: And that was the last kick of the half. Liverpool have dominated possession with Roberto Firmino missing a golden opportunity. Saying that, Cardiff have created one or two moments of panic for Jurgen Klopp’s side. Very finely balanced indeed at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Oh, and Arsenal still trail Crystal Palace at the Emirates. Christian Benteke's goal is above for your viewing pleasure.
47: Danger! Gunnarsson fouls Mane just outside the penalty area with seconds left on the clock. This could be a huge moment in the Premier League title race.
Trent Alexander-Arnold looks like he’s going to take this. He steps up… straight into the wall with a dismal effort.
43: Close! Cardiff are SO CLOSE to taking a shock lead here. Liverpool fail to clear their lines from a corner and the ball drops for Oumar Niasse, who hooks it at Alisson from point-blank range. The Liverpool stopper tips it over the crossbar.
40: The pressure is building. Liverpool have themselves a corner on the far side. VVD and Matip creep forward… saved! Roberto Firmino wins the header but doesn’t connect well.
Cardiff vs Liverpool: Premier League fixtures, table, score and updates (Image: GETTY)
38:It really is breathtaking how quickly Liverpool turn defence into attack.
One second they are defending a long throw-in, the next Mohamed Salah is at the other end of the field with only Manga to beat. The Egyptian takes aim but Lee Peltier arrives from nowhere to tackle.
35:Liverpool are really motoring now. Mohamed Salah spins Manga inside the box before trying to curl the ball past Neil Etheridge, who diverts it wide with his left leg. The corner bends out of play. Waste.
33: Close! Roberto Firmino wins the ball back from Oumar Niasse in midfield before teeing up Sadio Mane, who glances the ball over from close range.
31: Over the half-hour mark and Neil Warnock will be very happy indeed. His side have defended well and look a threat going forward - albeit they are lacking quality in the final third.
28: So… when did Nathaniel Mendez-Laing become the greatest player on the planet? Trent is a bit rattled and decides to hang back instead of joining a Liverpool attack. Perhaps he’s just giving himself 10 minutes to settle down.
25: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s difficult start continues as Mendez-Laing has him on toast again. The Cardiff winger rockets past him and leaves him on his backside before squaring it to Gunnarsson on the edge of the penalty area. He can’t bring it under his spell and Liverpool clear.
Cardiff vs Liverpool: Premier League fixtures, table, score and updates (Image: REUTERS)
23: What?!Something crazier than Christian Benteke scoring his first goal in all competitions for 358 days has happened.
Mohamed Salah pops it over to Sadio Mane, who plays Roberto Firmino through with a clever first-time pass. The Brazilian only has Neil Etheridge to beat but inexplicably skies it. How on earth did he put that over the crossbar?!
20:Interesting news from the Emirates where Crystal Palace have taken a 17th-minute lead thanks to Christian Benteke. Yes, that Christian Benteke. The fella who hasn’t scored in 35 years. It’s 1-0.
17: Close! Massive opportunity… for Cardiff! Mendez-Laing roasts Trent Alexander-Anrold down the left channel before fizzing a cross over to Hoilett, whose shot is blocked by Andrew Robertson. A better ball and that’s 1-0.
The resulting corner comes in and an unconvincing punch from Alisson actually works in Liverpool’s favour. Mohamed Salah drives forward and gifts the ball back to Morrison.
15: Strangely little to report thus far. Cardiff are growing in confidence and happy to be physical in the middle of the park. Sadio Mane wins the ball in midfield before unleashing a wild strike that lands in orbit.
Cardiff vs Liverpool: Premier League fixtures, table, score and updates (Image: REUTERS)
13:Neil Warnock is throwing his arms up in frustration. Can’t believe it’s taken this long to be fair. He pleads with the fourth official after Keita fairly nicked the ball off Camarasa before resting his hands on his hips. Vintage Warnock.
10: Oumar Niasse, the Everton loanee, races across the byline but allows the ball to drift out of play before cutting the ball back into the penalty area. I seem to remember the Senegal international scoring twice against the Reds with Hull a few years ago...
8: Liverpool fans in mighty fine voice this afternoon. They’ve been singing since the first kick and don’t sound like stopping in the near future. Good atmosphere in Cardiff today.
Strange decision from Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who elects to dive and punch an overhit cross instead of catching it. Liverpool win the corner but can’t test the Philippines international.
5: Crafty Neil Warnock is doing crafty things. The Cardiff boss opted against using the sprinklers today - so the pitch is actually quite dry and the ball isn’t moving quickly.
Cardiff vs Liverpool: Premier League fixtures, table, score and updates (Image: REUTERS)
3:I didn’t have time to make my prediction for today’s clash (I know you are desperate to hear it) but I really don’t understand this fear of an upset today - Liverpool didn’t get out of second gear against Porto midweek and still scored four. Imagine if they clicked…
No early chances to speak of but plenty of possession for Liverpool. Almost 100 per cent actually.
CARDIFF 0-0 LIVERPOOL
1: My apologies for the lack of build-up to today’s title clash - but it’s not every day that Manchester United are thrashed at Goodison Park.
Anyway, we’re underway in Cardiff as Liverpool look to reclaim top spot from Manchester City, who ground out a massive win against Tottenham yesterday.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace has also started. Plenty going on today!
Cardiff vs Liverpool: Premier League fixtures, table, score and updates (Image: EPA)
Twitter round-up
Mini: Everton thumping Manchester United 4-0 is the best and worst thing to happen to Liverpool and Manchester City respectively. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will demand a reaction in front of the Old Trafford faithful. Expect a ferocious Manchester Derby on Wednesday.
Matthew: Hoping that Wijnaldum is in the holding role today, Henderson been very good the last couple of games in the more advanced position. Great to see Keita back in the midfield as well.
Just don’t get spanked
15:53: Neil Warnock fears being "battered" by Liverpool today. What a vintage pre-match talk from the Cardiff boss…
"It's going to be a great day; I don't want it to be a lovely occasion but we still get battered," Warnock told reporters.
"We've just got to try and give a good account of ourselves for the fans that are going because it's a sell-out - and it probably could've sold out twice more."
Cardiff have conceded five goals to both Manchester City and Manchester United at home, as well as three each against Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
15:50: Mohamed Salah has scored 19 league goals this season, and could become just the third Liverpool player to score 20 in consecutive Premier League campaigns (Robbie Fowler 1994-95 and 1995-96, Luis Suarez 2012-13 and 2013-14).
Team News
15:48: Liverpool made three changes at Cardiff as Jurgen Klopp's side went in search of the win that would take them back to the top of the Premier League table.
Skipper Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino returned as Fabinho, James Milner and Divock Origi dropped out after the 4-1 midweek Champions League victory at Porto.
Cardiff were unchanged from the side which won 2-0 at Brighton in midweek to boost their survival hopes, with midfielder Aron Gunnarsson declared fit after a back spasm.
Cardiff vs Liverpool: Premier League fixtures, table, score and updates (Image: REUTERS)
Starting XI
15:45: You’ve probably seen the line-ups elsewhere but here they are anyway. Excuse my lateness - I was busy covering Everton’s demolition of Manchester United. 4-0 at Goodison Park with just one shot on target from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
Cardiff vs Liverpool: Premier League fixtures, table, score and updates (Image: GETTY)
CARDIFF vs LIVERPOOL - TEAM NEWS
Harry Arter has been ruled out for Cardiff with a calf strain. Aron Gunnarsson faces a late check after being forced off at Brighton with a back spasm, and fellow midfielder Leandro Bacuna stands by to replace the Iceland international following his impressive midweek second-half performance.
Liverpool have no injury concerns, with Dejan Lovren expected to return to the group after missing the midweek Champions League win over Porto through illness. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also training with the senior squad again following his long-term knee injury.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Cardiff W L L L W; Liverpool W W W W W
Top scorers (all competitions): Victor Camarasa (Cardiff) 5; Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) 23