{"items":[{"title":"Four Findings: Cardiff City 0-2 Liverpool","body":"
The Reds regained top spot in the league. After heading into half-time scoreless, Liverpool eventually left Cardiff City in their wake with a 2-0 win in Wales.<\/p>\n
Despite a slow start, Liverpool were not short of chances. Across the front line, all three forwards could not find a finish in spite of opportunities aplenty. Roberto Firmino had the best chance of all when he uncharacteristically flashed one over the bar.<\/p>\n
By the second half, the side knew what they needed to do. Again, they showed no panic and patiently began to pull away from the home side. The Reds\u2019 seriousness of purpose assured them their quality would prevail. There is a level of maturity in the side that is unmatched in recent seasons.<\/p>\n
This time it was Gini Wijnaldum latching onto a corner kick that he exquisitely half-volleyed home for the opener. It was an exceptional finish. Once Liverpool broke through, the result was never in doubt.<\/p>\n
However, it would take Mohamed Salah earning a penalty, after being manhandled by Sean Morrison, to put the contest to bed. James Milner stepped up to the spot and converted with ease.<\/p>\n
While playing a side battling against relegation at home should never be considered an easy match, Liverpool put on the kind of mature performance that has characterised much of this season.<\/p>\n
Jurgen Klopp has built a base that can win in more ways than any recent vintage. It has resurrected the club\u2019s ambitions, history, and belief.<\/p>\n
Here are four findings from today\u2019s match.<\/p>\n","author":"Fred Haas","image":[{"url":"https:\/\/readeverything.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/04\/1144197830-1200x800.jpg","author":"Stu Forster\/Getty Images Sport","title":"Cardiff City v Liverpool FC - Premier League"}],"dates":{"published":"2019-04-21T20:53:22+00:00","updated":"2019-04-21T20:53:24+00:00"},"id":"2-66406","link":[{"rel":"self","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/readliverpoolfc.com\/2019\/04\/21\/four-findings-cardiff-city-0-2-liverpool\/"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"application\/json","href":"https:\/\/readeverything.co\/msn-feed\/?id=2-66406"}],"keywords":[],"slideshows":[{"images":[{"title":"Four Findings: Cardiff City 0-2 Liverpool","body":"
The Reds regained top spot in the league. After heading into half-time scoreless, Liverpool eventually left Cardiff City in their wake with a 2-0 win in Wales.
Despite a slow start, Liverpool were not short of chances. Across the front line, all three forwards could not find a finish in spite of opportunities aplenty. Roberto Firmino had the best chance of all when he uncharacteristically flashed one over the bar.
By the second half, the side knew what they needed to do. Again, they showed no panic and patiently began to pull away from the home side. The Reds’ seriousness of purpose assured them their quality would prevail. There is a level of maturity in the side that is unmatched in recent seasons.
This time it was Gini Wijnaldum latching onto a corner kick that he exquisitely half-volleyed home for the opener. It was an exceptional finish. Once Liverpool broke through, the result was never in doubt.
However, it would take Mohamed Salah earning a penalty, after being manhandled by Sean Morrison, to put the contest to bed. James Milner stepped up to the spot and converted with ease.
While playing a side battling against relegation at home should never be considered an easy match, Liverpool put on the kind of mature performance that has characterised much of this season.
Jurgen Klopp has built a base that can win in more ways than any recent vintage. It has resurrected the club\u2019s ambitions, history, and belief.
Here are four findings from today\u2019s match.<\/p>\n","author":"Stu Forster\/Getty Images Sport","url":"https:\/\/readeverything.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/04\/1144197830.jpg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/readeverything.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/04\/1144197830-160x160.jpg"},{"title":"Trent Targeted","body":"
Trent Alexander-Arnold experienced a rare day of extremes. At times looking jaded and under targeted pressure, the full-back struggled as the Bluebirds ran everything down his side.\u00a0
It is not the first time the Scouser has been subject to such direct assaults, but the minutes may have added up on the day.
While Alexander-Arnold suffered defensively somewhat, it was his beautifully-taken corner that led to the opener.\u00a0
Having plotted the opportunity during the break, the full-back setup Gini Wijnaldum as requested for the Reds\u2019 league-leading 20th set-piece goal of the season. After that delivery, he deserved a break for Joe Gomez to gain some much needed minutes.<\/p>\n","author":"Stu Forster\/Getty Images Sport","url":"https:\/\/readeverything.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/04\/1144196749.jpg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/readeverything.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/04\/1144196749-160x160.jpg"},{"title":"Ghost Gone","body":"
It may have been his first away league goal, but Gini WIjnaldum\u2019s second-half game-winner was a cracker. The importance of the goal was manifold.\u00a0
Not only was it a personal milestone for the Dutchman, but it was also a crucial moment in Liverpool\u2019s continued chase for the title. His breaking of the deadlock essentially ensured the result.
Given the contributions Wijnaldum has been making all year, it was a fitting finish.
The midfielder may divide supporters’ opinion with some suggesting that he disappears in away fixtures.\u00a0However, he has consistently been a big-game player, capable of huge moments. What cannot be argued is how instrumental his contributions have been this campaign.<\/p>\n","author":"Mike Hewitt\/Getty Images Sport","url":"https:\/\/readeverything.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/04\/1144175454.jpg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/readeverything.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/04\/1144175454-160x160.jpg"},{"title":"Shuffling Substitutes","body":"
Plenty of people may have questioned leaving Fabinho on the bench to start with, but it was likely that the Brazilian would be used at some point.\u00a0
Naby Keita continued his fine form but was the one to make way for the deep-lying midfielder. Everything was ready for Fabinho to enter the game and stabilise the situation even further.
Unfortunately, a clash of heads meant that he would make one of his shortest appearances since joining the club, needing to be hooked with concussion concerns after just four minutes.\u00a0
Yet, that meant James Milner needed to fill in just in time to take the penalty that killed the contest. The manager needed to shuffle the side and sorted it seamlessly.<\/p>\n","author":"Mike Hewitt\/Getty Images Sport","url":"https:\/\/readeverything.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/04\/1144179486.jpg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/readeverything.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/04\/1144179486-160x160.jpg"},{"title":"Bulwark Back-line","body":"
It is a testament to the side that when Liverpool lead, even by a single goal, it likely means a victory. Gone are the worries that weaker opposing teams will score a late equaliser.\u00a0
The Reds defence has evolved into a bulwark so rarely breached that belief is soundly based.
Virgil van Dijk\u2019s arrival was the most seismic sign, but this summer\u2019s arrival of Alisson has been a similarly massive move. The goalkeeper notched his 19th clean sheet of the season, eclipsing all others in the league over the past decade.\u00a0
Joel Matip also managed another powerful performance since becoming the regular starter due to injury. Add the best full-back pairing in the league, and Liverpool\u2019s defence provides every reason to think there is still a chance for a title regardless of what Manchester City do.<\/p>\n","author":"Mike Hewitt\/Getty Images Sport","url":"https:\/\/readeverything.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/04\/1093272206.jpg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/readeverything.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/04\/1093272206-160x160.jpg"}]}]}]}