Another game, another Liverpool win and more goals from Mohamed Salah. That was the narrative for our 4-1 triumph over Cardiff City.
The Reds didn’t play to their best but had enough moments of quality to see off the newly promoted side. Roberto Firmino was up to his no look tricks, Sadio Mane scored a couple of brilliant goals and our defence looked great, even though we conceded a goal.
There were a couple of players who caught the eye though, Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho.
We have been harping for the pair to get games and Jurgen Klopp has played them in bit parts, but we seem to be seeing the best of them now.
The Brazilian didn’t have the greatest game in our 2-1 loss to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. However, the midfielder was a monster in the 4-0 win over Red Star Belgrade in the weekend.
The former Monaco man was tackling and intercepting like there was no tomorrow, but we saw the difference in a Premier League game and a game against one of the smaller teams in the Champions League.
Cardiff were no pushovers and matched us in the first half. They didn’t create many chances to score but limited our opportunities on goal. Fabinho was a little slow to some tackles in the first half but when he got into the groove, there was no stopping him.
Shaqiri has shown in glimpses of his ability and was the game changer in the 4-1 win over the Bluebirds. Liverpool had just conceded when the Alpine Messi had come on.
Salah played a brilliant ball to Shaq who shifted the ball to his left foot and calmly slotted into the net. That goal calmed our nerves and Mane got the final goal of the game with the Egyptian assisting again. Shaqiri could be one of the signings of the season, and him being bedded in slowly, along with Fabinho makes sense now.
The Reds started with a team that was similar to the one from last season. Barring Alisson, our starting XI was the same from the last campaign.
Klopp has worked his magic, once again, with the players at the club as most of our stars are playing to the same level as last season. Yes, Salah, Firmino and Mane don’t look as sharp as last season but overall, our team is doing better than at the corresponding time from the previous campaign.
Alisson was brilliant from day one and now Shaqiri and Fabinho are showing what they are capable of doing.
The only player left to shine is Naby Keita, who is out with an injury. However, we are certain he will come good with Klopp working with the Guinea midfielder.
