Premier League - Cardiff City 0-2 Liverpool - Match Report
Liverpool return to the Premier League summit thanks to goals from Wijnaldum & Milner
Liverpool maintained their pursuit for a first league title in 29 years with a battling 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Cardiff City on Sunday.
After Manchester City moved to the summit with a hard-fought triumph of their own against Tottenham just over 24 hours earlier, the Reds were made to sweat in the April sunshine by a side occupying the final relegation spot in the table.
Eventually, Liverpool found a clever way to break down a stubborn Cardiff defence, Georginio Wijnaldum meeting Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner with a powerful first-time finish.
A foul on Mohamed Salah by Sean Morrison allowed James Milner to wrap up a ninth successive win in all competitions for Jurgen Klopp's side from the penalty spot, meaning they now sit two points clear of the reigning champions, who have a game in hand.
After booking their place in the Champions League semi-finals in midweek, Liverpool returned to domestic duties knowing only a victory would suffice in the Welsh capital.
Roberto Firmino carelessly lifted their best chance of the first half over the top, wasting good work by fellow forwards Salah and Sadio Mane as his left-footed shot cleared both the advancing Neil Etheridge and the crossbar.
Cardiff's goalkeeper was needed to make a close-range save to deny Salah shortly after, though Liverpool did not pick up the pace until after the interval, leading to Wijnaldum’s 57th-minute strike from a well-worked set piece.
Having wasted a free header with the score at 1-0, letting Alisson off the hook after the goalkeeper had failed to deal with a corner, Morrison was adjudged to have pulled down Salah in the other penalty area, allowing Milner - who replaced fellow substitute Fabinho due to a head injury - to put the result beyond doub
Goals/Highlights
Goal! Salah wins a penalty for Liverpool, James Milner steps up and smashes it into the bottom corner! Game over!
Chance! How did Jordan Henderson miss that?!
Goal! Georginio Wijnaldum breaks the deadlock with a sweet strike!
Chance! Sadio Mane curls a shot just over the bar!
Chance! An acrobatic Niasse volley is tipped over by Alisson.
Chance! Salah is denied by the feet of Cardiff stopper Neil Etheridge.
Chance! Roberto Firmino blazes over from close range!
Peep! We are underway in Cardiff!
Live Updates
Preamble
Cool vibes from Virgil van Dijk! We are minutes away from Kick-off!
Warm up time for Cardiff! The Welsh side has not beaten a top six side this season. Could that change today?
Now for Liverpool! Three changes to the side that brushed aside Porto in the Champions League. Jordan Henderson is in for Fabinho, Naby Keita comes in for James Milner and Roberto Firmino is restored in attack for Divock Origi.
Cardiff team news! It's an unchanged side for the Bluebirds, following their massive 2-0 win over Brighton. Icelandic midfielder Aron Gunnarsson has passed a late fitness test to retun to the side.
Is the pressure on Liverpool? They need a win to leapfrog Man City into top spot. Although, judging by this entrance they seem pretty relaxed! Team news to follow!
Also, it's Easter Sunday in the UK, and to celebrate Cardiff have been handing out chocolate eggs to their young fans! What a lovely touch!
It's absolutely scorching in Cardiff! This picture proves it! Will the heat play a major factor for the players?
So here we go! Will Liverpool title dreams come unstuck in South Wales? It's a glorious day in the Welsh capital and I'm fully expecting an all-action game! Anyway, Cardiff have arrived and look very perky!
Good afternoon! Welcome to the Live Updates of Cardiff Vs Liverpool. After Manchester City defeated Tottenham on Saturday, the pressure is on the Reds to defeat relegation-threatened Cardiff to return to the top of the table. As ever, you can join me for all the build-up, team news and goals from the game as they go in!
