He’s been labelled a diver for most of this season, and there’s no doubt those claims will be coming out again tonight as Mohamed Salah won his Liverpool side a penalty that helped them to a 2-0 win over Cardiff City. While there was every chance the Reds would have held on to the one-goal lead they held prior to the decision, given to them by Georginio Wijnaldum‘s thumping finish, the incident will go down as another mark on Salah’s record.
Mohamed Salah at the Centre of Attention Again as Liverpool March On
Cardiff Cause Reasons For Concern in First Half
Neil Warnock’s side had failed to take a single point of a ‘top six’ team prior to this game and, considering Liverpool’s own run of form, it looked like there was every chance that feat would continue today.
Instead, though, the Bluebirds gave a good account of themselves and held their own against a Liverpool side that failed to really test Neil Etheredge in the first half.
Salah failed to get in behind the defence on a number of occasions while, also on that side, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing had the beating of Trent Alexander-Arnold and looked a continuous threat to the Reds’ backline.
Everton loanee Oumar Niasse also looked dangerous for Cardiff and drew a save from Allison right at the end of the half, latching onto Victor Camarasa‘s scuffed volley to force the Brazillian to tip over.
Wijnaldum Rockets Reds Into Lead
Like last week against Chelsea, Liverpool came out for the second half with far more intent. While the impact might not have been as instantaneous as against the Blues, they were finally rewarded just before the hour mark.
Alexander-Arnold looked to have put in a terrible delivery from his outswinging corner, but it turned out to be a wonderful disguised pass for Wijnaldum to lash into the top corner and hand Liverpool an advantage that, on the balance of chances, they deserved.
Penalty Pressure
Before the controversy that surrounded Liverpool’s penalty, Cardiff will have felt aggrieved that they weren’t given the opportunity to pull level from the spot.
Sean Morrison peeled away from Andrew Robertson at the far post, but his run was stopped by Robertson tugging on his shirt. This meant Morrison got underneath the ball rather than over it and, while he ended up on the floor, the ball landed harmlessly on the roof of the net. There was little complaint at the time, but Neil Warnock flagged it up in his post-match interview to Sky Sports.
The next decision came towards the end and is the one that will no doubt divide opinion. Salah burst into the box and came up against Morrison, who had his hands wrapped around the Egyptian. Once Salah managed to turn the defender, Morrison continued with his grappling, but the point where he makes the decision to go down is blatant.
One thing that won’t divide opinion those is James Milner‘s ability to convert penalties. The substitute confidently converted from the spot to double Liverpool’s advantage and from that point on, there was so sense that Cardiff had anything left in the tank.
Going the Distance
Liverpool return to the top of the table again, and Manchester City finally play their game in hand this week – the result of which will give people a far better indication of who is in pole position for the Premier League title.
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