OPINION
Liverpool finally delivered the thumping that they had been threatening for weeks in the Premier League as a second half barrage secured a 4-1 victory over Cardiff City on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp’s team bossed the first half against the Bluebirds, with Mohamed Salah putting them ahead after 9 minutes.
However, Neil Warnock’s team came back into the game in the second half and had to be put away by a late flurry from Liverpool. A brace from Sadio Mane and a Xherdan Shaqiri strike cancelled out Callum Paterson’s goal as the Reds came away with all three points at Anfield.
Live4Liverpool has delivered player ratings for every Liverpool player who took the pitch on Saturday, with the majority of them impressing against Cardiff.
GOALKEEPER AND DEFENCE
Alisson – 6 – Was cool, calm and collected for the most part. Didn’t have a lot to do, although he could have done slightly better with Paterson’s goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6 – Enjoyed a good battle with Cardiff winger Josh Murphy on the right hand side of the Reds defence. Didn’t have his best game going forward and his delivery was lacking at times.
Dejan Lovren – 6 – The Croatian was recalled at Joe Gomez’s expense and produced a solid, if unspectacular, display. Never really looked in trouble and did what he needed to do at the heart of the defence.
Virgil van Dijk – 7 – Was his usual indomitable self in the air, and dealt with everything the visitors threw at him with aplomb. Hit the post with a header and constantly looked to bring the ball out from the back.
Alberto Moreno – 6 – Much to the chagrin of the majority of Liverpool supporters Moreno was handed a start ahead of Andy Robertson. The Spaniard was a constant out-ball on the left hand side but committed too many fouls.
MIDFIELDER
Fabinho – 7 – The Brazilian built on an impressive showing against Red Star Belgrade in mid week with another dominant performance in the middle of the park. He looked assured throughout and provided good protection for the Reds backline.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 7 – The Dutchman is quickly emerging as one of the premier midfielders in the top flight. Provided the energy in midfield for Liverpool today and did the dirty work getting back as well.
Adam Lallana – 4 – Lallana simply looks lost at the moment. The England international has had his fair share of injuries in recent years and just doesn’t look like the same player anymore. Slowed the play too often and was hooked in the second half.
ATTACK
Mohamed Salah – 9 – The Egyptian King is without doubt back to his best. Salah was irrepressible against Neil Warnock’s side, taking his goal well and then setting up Mane and Shaqiri late on.
Roberto Firmino – 5 – Firmino didn’t look right today. The Brazilian, on a reported £180,000-per-week [Source: Spotrac], never looked up to full speed, and disappointed alongside his more impressive attacking team mates in a performance which was a shadow of his usual efforts.
Sadio Mane – 9 – The Senegal star put the game to bed with a second half brace and was a constant menace for the Cardiff defence. His first goal was a rasping strike and he underlined his importance to the team with a superb showing.
SUBSTITUTES
Xherdan Shaqiri (on for Lallana 61) – 8 – Upped the tempo in the closing stages of the game and got himself on the scoresheet with a cool finish.
James Milner (on for Firmino 71) – 6 – Neither impressed nor disappointed, the veteran did what he usually does and put a solid shift in.
