After Manchester City’s victory over Tottenham in a nervy Etihad Stadium, the focus once again switches back to title rivals, Liverpool.
A trip to Cardiff City Stadium might have been just the type of fixture Jurgen Klopp’s men needed after their midweek travails in the Champions League.
But an upturn in form – Cardiff’s crucial victory away to fellow relegation candidates Brighton on Tuesday night – has given Neil Warnock’s side the shot in the arm they’ve been crying out for since the turn of the year.
A torrid run including defeats to Manchester City, Burnley and most painfully – for Warnock, at least – Chelsea are now behind them and the path to Premier League safety is ahead of them.
Can Liverpool return to the top of the table or will they drop points in this most enthralling of title races?
Stay with us as we bring you all the action this Sunday afternoon.
KICK-OFF: We’re underway at the Cardiff City Stadium.
21 Apr 2019
4:03PM
Liverpool apply the early pressure through PFA Player of the Year nominee, Sadio Mane. He busies himself down the left wing.
Firmino fires an early effort wide, Alexande-Arnold’s ball is good – but Firmino has just drifted offside.
21 Apr 2019
4:06PM
Mane drives down the centre of the pitch and switches out wide to Firmino. He finds Henderson, who is dispossessed a when he attempts a flick in the box.
Etheridge makes the strange choice to punch a low cross after some sustained pressure from the team in red.
The resulting corner comes to nothing.
21 Apr 2019
4:09PM
Cardiff enjoy their first foray up the pitch but it’s overrun and goes behind for a Liverpool kick-out.
Meanwhile, Henderson’s low driven pass for Robertson goes behind for a kick-out for the home side. Not much in the way of chances here I’m afraid.
Relatively comfortable opening 10 minutes for Cardiff City.
Niasse is unleashed up the left and he finds Gunnarsson on the edge of the box – but the Icelandic midfielder makes the wrong choice and gifts possession back to Liverpool.
Down the other end, Keita tries to find Mane with a little slip pass and almost does on the left hand side of the box but Morrison cuts it out – good defending there. Would have been in on goal had he not made the intervention.
Mane then has a shot from distance, nowhere near the target. Wild stuff, that.
David Davies
David Davies
21 Apr 2019
4:16PM
BLOCKED! Hoilett has his shot blocked by Robertson.
At the back post, Hoilett waits for an overhit cross and connects well with it after taking it down on his chest.
It’s no good, though – Robertson smothers the effort.
Salah has a wonderful chance to break from the resulting corner but he gives it away.
Cardiff with the best chance of the opening 15 minutes.
21 Apr 2019
4:18PM
To bring you up to speed in the day’s other game…
Crystal Palace have gone 1-0 up away to Arsenal in what could be a massive game in the wake of United’s defeat to Everton – the race for top 4 really could go right down to the wire.
21 Apr 2019
4:24PM
Cardiff’s defence remains resolute, they’re not giving Liverpool time or space to think when they get into the final third. Everything is closed down and cut out.
Cardiff are happy to let Liverpool to come from the halfway line, defenders like Matip and Van Dijk are enjoying forays forward – but then a blue wave of defenders swarm out to cut out any attacks…
Liverpool find a way through! Firmino is played in by Mane and he skies it, lovely pass to take out four Cardiff players.
Shocking, shocking miss as the Liverpool forward is clean through and one-on-one with the keeper. Leans back as he shoots over the crossbar.
Cardiff probably fortunate that Liverpool’s finishing hasn’t been up to scratch – but they’ve hung in there for the first half.
Liverpool will be disappointed chances for Salah and Firmino have gone to waste. Other than that, they’re dictating most of the play and have found some chinks in Cardiff’s armour.
Liverpool win a corner after some tenacious work from Sadio Mane down the left. Battling hard to carve an opening and must have wrestled his way through two or three challenges. He’s had another very good game.
Van Dijk’s header is wide.
21 Apr 2019
5:31PM
Fabinho is down receiving treatment after a clash of heads.
He’s back on his feet now and goes off the pitch to receive further treatment.
21 Apr 2019
5:33PM
Milner now comes on for Fabinho.
He was only on the pitch for about a minute. Right call though, can’t risk it with head injuries.
21 Apr 2019
5:35PM
Cardiff beginning push the equaliser.
A freekick from the halfway line is closed down by Henderson after Mendez-Laing controls in the area.
Corner comes to nothing.
21 Apr 2019
5:38PM
PENALTY LIVERPOOL!
Salah is adjudged to be pulled down in the box by Morrison.
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As it happened: Cardiff City v Liverpool, Premier League
After Manchester City’s victory over Tottenham in a nervy Etihad Stadium, the focus once again switches back to title rivals, Liverpool.
A trip to Cardiff City Stadium might have been just the type of fixture Jurgen Klopp’s men needed after their midweek travails in the Champions League.
But an upturn in form – Cardiff’s crucial victory away to fellow relegation candidates Brighton on Tuesday night – has given Neil Warnock’s side the shot in the arm they’ve been crying out for since the turn of the year.
A torrid run including defeats to Manchester City, Burnley and most painfully – for Warnock, at least – Chelsea are now behind them and the path to Premier League safety is ahead of them.
Can Liverpool return to the top of the table or will they drop points in this most enthralling of title races?
Stay with us as we bring you all the action this Sunday afternoon.
To get us started, let’s have a look at today’s team news…
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Keita, Mane, Salah, Firmino.
Cardiff: Etheridge, Peltier, Morrison, Ecuele Manga, Bennett, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Camarasa, Mendez-Laing, Hoilett, Niasse.
Ahead of kick-off, here is some of what Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been saying…
Amid the title hype in Liverpool, Klopp revealed: “I don’t go out — apart from football.
“I can imagine the mood in the city is pretty good but I don’t need to hear it, I don’t need to see it.”
How do we see this one going?
Cast your vote below…
Poll Results:
Cardiff City owner, Vincent Tan, ahead of today’s game is suitably kitted out…
Could we see a repeat of this strike against Liverpool today?
Prediction time
Get you predictions into us in our comments section below.
Managers speak ahead of today’s game…
Henderson is back in the midfield today – but Jurgen Klopp remained coy over where he will play.
If anyone is joining us ahead of kick-off, lets get you caught up on the day’s earlier result.
KICK-OFF: We’re underway at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Liverpool apply the early pressure through PFA Player of the Year nominee, Sadio Mane. He busies himself down the left wing.
Firmino fires an early effort wide, Alexande-Arnold’s ball is good – but Firmino has just drifted offside.
Mane drives down the centre of the pitch and switches out wide to Firmino. He finds Henderson, who is dispossessed a when he attempts a flick in the box.
Etheridge makes the strange choice to punch a low cross after some sustained pressure from the team in red.
The resulting corner comes to nothing.
Cardiff enjoy their first foray up the pitch but it’s overrun and goes behind for a Liverpool kick-out.
Meanwhile, Henderson’s low driven pass for Robertson goes behind for a kick-out for the home side. Not much in the way of chances here I’m afraid.
Relatively comfortable opening 10 minutes for Cardiff City.
Niasse is unleashed up the left and he finds Gunnarsson on the edge of the box – but the Icelandic midfielder makes the wrong choice and gifts possession back to Liverpool.
Down the other end, Keita tries to find Mane with a little slip pass and almost does on the left hand side of the box but Morrison cuts it out – good defending there. Would have been in on goal had he not made the intervention.
Mane then has a shot from distance, nowhere near the target. Wild stuff, that.
BLOCKED! Hoilett has his shot blocked by Robertson.
At the back post, Hoilett waits for an overhit cross and connects well with it after taking it down on his chest.
It’s no good, though – Robertson smothers the effort.
Salah has a wonderful chance to break from the resulting corner but he gives it away.
Cardiff with the best chance of the opening 15 minutes.
To bring you up to speed in the day’s other game…
Crystal Palace have gone 1-0 up away to Arsenal in what could be a massive game in the wake of United’s defeat to Everton – the race for top 4 really could go right down to the wire.
Cardiff’s defence remains resolute, they’re not giving Liverpool time or space to think when they get into the final third. Everything is closed down and cut out.
Cardiff are happy to let Liverpool to come from the halfway line, defenders like Matip and Van Dijk are enjoying forays forward – but then a blue wave of defenders swarm out to cut out any attacks…
Liverpool find a way through! Firmino is played in by Mane and he skies it, lovely pass to take out four Cardiff players.
Shocking, shocking miss as the Liverpool forward is clean through and one-on-one with the keeper. Leans back as he shoots over the crossbar.
Best chance of the half.
Firmino misses perhaps the chance of the half – we’re halfway through the first 45 minutes…
Nothing really of note in the last few minutes, Salah tries to carve a route down the right channel but again the Cardiff defence holds firm.
Liverpool patiently stroking the ball around, Manga cuts out a pass that would have sent Salah off on his way.
The visitors get a cross away and Mane’s shot from close range is over the bar.
Cardiff just starting to look a bit stretched.
SAVE! Salah is denied!
The Liverpool striker takes the ball at his feet and does a little spin to get in behind the Cardiff defence.
One-on-one chance but Etheridge gets down well to turn it behind with his feet. Corner comes to nothing as the keeper is fouled.
Again showing they’re starting to feel the pressure from Liverpool.
Salah gets another chance minutes later when he’s one-on-one with Manga, but it’s defended well and the Egyptian can’t get his show away.
No way through just yet for this man…
Over at the Aviva Stadium – Leinster have stretched their lead (24-9) over French side, Toulouse. You can follow the live action here.
Meanwhile, Benteke’s goal at the Emirates is still the difference as Crystal Palace lead Arsenal 1-0.
Just a few minutes away from half-time here.
Liverpool have had two wonderful chances to put them ahead, but both have been spurned. Still scoreless.
Neil Warnock will probably be happy with his side’s opening half display.
SAVE! Niasse shins an effort from close range, Alisson turns it over the bar.
It’s a decent chance for Cardiff – difficult when the ball is that high up to get any connection with it.
Came from Matip’s clearing header, knocked back goalward and Niasse is alive to it right in front of the goal.
Two minutes to be added on.
HALF-TIME: Cardiff City 0-0 Liverpool
A half that had positive for both sides.
Cardiff probably fortunate that Liverpool’s finishing hasn’t been up to scratch – but they’ve hung in there for the first half.
Liverpool will be disappointed chances for Salah and Firmino have gone to waste. Other than that, they’re dictating most of the play and have found some chinks in Cardiff’s armour.
KICK-OFF: Second half is underway…
Cardiff have the first chance of the second half, Gunnarsson’s long throw comes back to Hoilett and his shot is blocked.
They work it back out wide and cross in – Morrison’s header is over the bar. Peels away from Robertson on the back post to create the chance.
Decent opening but was always going to be hard to steer that toward goal.
OVER THE BAR! Mané goes close for Liverpool.
He takes the ball on the left flank and opts to cut back inside rather than deliver a cross. From just inside the box he gets his shot away.
It’s dipping, but not enough to get under the crossbar.
Cardiff just can’t get the ball out of their half.
Liverpool doing a great job pressing them before they get to the halfway line and making the home side cough up possession.
Salah’s cross down the right is knocked behind by Morrison. Corner…
GOAL!!! Cardiff 0-1 Liverpool [Wijnaldum]
WHAT A FINISH BY WIJNALDUM!
Liverpool win the corner from Salah’s cross and from the set piece, it’s whipped in low.
Wijnaldum ghosts into the centre of the box to meet it at top speed and absolutely ROCKETS it home close range.
No stopping that.
Liverpool lead 1-0 and it’s well deserved. That goal felt as if it was coming for the entirety of the second half.
SAVE! Hoilett has his weak shot saved by Alisson up the other end.
Liverpool remain the more comfortable of the two sides. They’re pushing hard for a second now.
Henderson dropping out a bit wider now at times to offer respite for the wingers.
OVER THE BAR! Henderson blazes over from inside the box after Mane’s cut back cross.
Big, big chance for Liverpool there.
Cardiff should be level!
Alisson misses attempts to clear a corner with a punch but misses it. Morrison is at the back post and throws himself at the ball.
His jump is mistimed and he’s gone ahead of the ball – it’s actually hit him on his back or perhaps even the shoulder blades.
Cardiff’s best chance. That could be very, very costly.
The moment Liverpool took the lead…
Keita comes off for Fabinho.
Liverpool win a corner after some tenacious work from Sadio Mane down the left. Battling hard to carve an opening and must have wrestled his way through two or three challenges. He’s had another very good game.
Van Dijk’s header is wide.
Fabinho is down receiving treatment after a clash of heads.
He’s back on his feet now and goes off the pitch to receive further treatment.
Milner now comes on for Fabinho.
He was only on the pitch for about a minute. Right call though, can’t risk it with head injuries.
Cardiff beginning push the equaliser.
A freekick from the halfway line is closed down by Henderson after Mendez-Laing controls in the area.
Corner comes to nothing.
PENALTY LIVERPOOL!
Salah is adjudged to be pulled down in the box by Morrison.
Looks very soft.
GOAL!!! Cardiff 0-2 Liverpool [Milner]
No mistake from the spot, Liverpool go 2-0 up against Cardiff. Probably deserve it after the half they’ve had.
The penalty itself looked relatively soft.
Morrison does have his hands on Salah, but the Liverpool forward throws himself down theatrically.
Letter of the law and all that…
Cardiff fans chant: “The Premier League is f**king sh*t”
Another big decision goes against them.
Into the last five minutes of action here, Liverpool will be happy to just run down the clock…
Liverpool on the attack again, but Morrison the cross into the box.
No mistake from Milner.
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SAVE! Etheridge turns Salah’s close-range effort behind for a corner.
Liverpool corner. They go short and decide to keep possession, but give away a foul through James Milner.
Good chance originally from Salah.
Three minutes to be added on.
FULL TIME: Cardiff City 0-2 Liverpool
Another win for Liverpool, nine on the bounce now for Klopp’s side in all competitions.
A deserved victory. Milner wraps up the points from the spot after Wijnaldum’s goal got the Reds up and running.
A masterful performance defensively, Matip and Van Dijk largely faultless.
Liverpool return to the top of the table, two points clear of City – who go to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Well, that’s all from us this afternoon.
Reports and reaction coming up next, but from myself it’s thank you and goodbye!
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