Liverpool maintained their Premier League title bid with a 2-0 win at Cardiff City.

Georginio Wijnaldum finally broke the deadlock early in the second half with a well-taken first time strike from a Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner.

The Reds extended their lead just eight minutes from time through a James Milner penalty after Mohamed Salah had been fouled by Sean Morrison.

Here were the key talking points from the Cardiff City Stadium:

Klopp’s squad equipped for setbacks

 

Jurgen Klopp’s ability to strengthen Liverpool’s squad depth year-upon-year has offered a greater variety to his selections – not least in the midfield department.

After Fabinho’s foray in place of Naby Keita proved short-lived, it’s just as well.

The Brazil international was on the pitch barely a minute before suffering a blow to the head in his first aerial duel with Cardiff striker Kenneth Zohore.

Klopp was able to turn to a ready-made option in James Milner to take Fabinho’s place and ultimately go on to double the advantage from the penalty spot.

A variety of options has allowed the Liverpool manager to regularly shuffle his pack even at this vital stage of the season without needing to sacrifice on quality.

Alisson remains cool yet calm

 

Players seen doing little and spending the 90 minutes scouring their brain to find methods of entertainment may not necessarily be considered a positive.

But Alisson Becker manages to make it look cool.

Often an invisible man wearing the brightest of florescent green kits, he stood alone in the penalty area without another player coming within 40 yards of him.

When called on, however, the Brazilian delivered; embodying the resilience seen in this Liverpool side, and offered confidence to his teammates around him.

Being a Liverpool goalkeeper threatened to be big shoes to fill for Alisson, but he is ensuring whoever follows will have to bring a bigger pair – and carry them off.

Warnock’s old habits die hard

 

Liverpool still fail to occupy a special place in Neil Warnock’s heart.

In truth, the 70-year-old has never masked thoughts on his Anfield counterparts and his tactics for their latest meeting made that case abundantly clear.

Prevent the Reds from playing, thumping the ball high and following up with speed may have sent the visitors’ defence into sheer panic a couple of years ago.

But Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk dealt comfortably with this aerial threat.

Even on the occasion the second ball fell to an on-rushing Bluebirds player, the back-up from Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold easily mopped up.

Warnock might need to rethink his approach for next season in the event Cardiff avoid relegation and he comes up against Liverpool’s formidable back line again.

Hope that kills in Reds’ title run-in

 

‘Liverpool Liverpool, top of the league’ rang out again from the away section but fans will be continually holding their breath until the final day of the season.

The dream of a long-awaited first title in the Premier League era is tantalisingly close yet Klopp’s side know that it is still currently far from in their hands.

An inability to influence Manchester City’s results between now and May 12 means that Liverpool could finish the season as the most successful runner-up.

All that remains now is to focus on their own performances and achieve maximum points in the hope that the reigning champions succumb to mortality.

They say it is the hope that kills you and the small matter of Pep Guardiola’s side taking on Manchester United on Wednesday will either offer fresh hope or kill it.