Xherdan Shaqiri dazzles again: Liverpool player ratings from 4-1 Cardiff win

Liverpool moved three points clear at the top of the table with a 4-1 win over Cardiff City. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the 10^th minute.

The Reds dominated the away side but couldn’t get clear shots on goal. It was becoming a frustrating afternoon at Anfield before Sadio Mane hammered home the second goal.

Things got tense when Callum Paterson scored via a deflection, but Xherdan Shaqiri calmed nerves with his first Liverpool goal in the 84^th minute.

Mane wrapped up the points with a smart chip over the Cardiff keeper. There were some quality performances at Anfield, and here are the player ratings from the game.

Alisson – 6/10

The keeper didn’t have much to do in the game and will be disappointed that he couldn’t keep another clean sheet.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10

The Englishman did a decent job for the Reds as he played high up the field supporting the attack in the first half.

Dejan Lovren – 7/10

Lovren didn’t make too many errors at the back and it was great seeing the Croatian get more minutes under his belt.

Virgil van Dijk – 7/10

The Dutch defender was having an incredible game until he deflected a cross for Paterson to score.

Alberto Moreno – 7/10

Moreno didn’t have too many moments of madness at the back, but he will have tougher games in the days to come.

Fabinho – 7/10

The Brazilian was slow to a couple of tackles but this was another quality display after the Red Star game.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 7.5/10

Wijnaldum was great in midfield as he ran from box to box and kept Liverpool ticking.

Adam Lallana – 6.5/10

Lallana got another start under his belt but didn’t do much worth noting. The Englishman did have a header cleared off the line.

Mohamed Salah – 7.5/10

It was a strange game for Salah as he scored our opening goal and assisted a couple more, but he never got out of second gear.

Roberto Firmino – 6.5/10

The Brazilian didn’t have a great game against Cardiff. Firmino had his usual tricks and flicks but that was about it.

Sadio Mane – 7.5/10

Mane got the second and fourth goals of the game and both were typical goals. One was a rocket with his left foot and the other was a clever finish over the keeper.

Substitutes

Xherdan Shaqiri – 8/10

The Swiss was excellent once he came on and he was rewarded with a well-taken goal.

Read more: Good news for Liverpool fans as Reds begin contract talks with £3.5m rising star

James Milner – 6.5/10

Milner shored up the midfield and didn’t really make any mistakes.