Wild Win For Liverpool, Saurez Scores Hat-Trick

 3-6 

Liverpool travelled to Wales today for a Premier League showdown with Cardiff City.  Liverpool have been outstanding offensively this season while Cardiff have really struggled to perform in the top level.  Looking to contain the electric Liverpool attack, Cardiff employed a five defender line-up.  In the early stages of the match Liverpool had trouble dealing with Cardiff's formation, especially the right side of their attack.

Liverpool's Joe Allen turned the ball over in his own box and Campbell was able to jump on the loose ball.  Campbell then picked out Jordon Mutch who had a clear path to shoot and scored the first goal of the match (9').

Following a long string of possession by Liverpool, Suarez was able to respond with an equalizer.  Henderson played the rightback Johnson in behind the Cardiff back line and he played a cross into the box.  Suarez was waiting at the near-post and for an easy tap-in to score (16').

Cardiff retook the lead moments later when Campbell made a strong run at Liverpool's goal.  Campbell first got around defender Agger by cutting on to his left foot then fired the shot before Skrtel could close him down for a second Cardiff goal (25').

Before half-time Liverpool scored another equalizer following a set-piece.  Centerback Skrtel stayed forward after the initial corner and Coutinho picked him out with a cross.  Skrtel was in good position at the near-post and finished with a volley (41').

The second-half was all Liverpool as the Reds were able to scored three consecutive goals to put Cardiff in a huge hole.  Skrtel scored another goal on a corner-kick thanks in part to a short-handed Cardiff side.  Mutch and Theopile-Catherine both received treatment for minor injuries and were forced to stay on the sideline during the corner-kick.  Their absence allowed Skrtel to win a free header that he directed into the far-post netting (51').

Suarez and Sturridge then linked up a couple of times to each give the other an assist leading to goals.  First Sturridge helped the ball along inside the box with a heel-flick to setup Suarez in front of goal (60').  Then Suarez was able to win the ball off defender Caulker before playing the pass to Sturridge crashing the net.  Sturridge scored easily from close range, giving Liverpool a comfortable lead (75').

Cardiff did not give up though and Mutch provided a late consolation goal.  Theopile-Catherine played a cross into the box that substitute Kenwyne Jones headed back across the face of goal.  Mutch was in place to turn the header pass into the net for his second goal of the match (88').  However Liverpool added one more in the final moments of the game when Suarez won a 50-50 ball from Cala.  The entire Cardiff team was on the wrong side of the ball and Suarez had a free run at the keeper who could not stop the striker and Suarez completed the hat-trick (90 +6').

Liverpool needed this win to keep pace with Chelsea who gave Arsenal a trashing earlier in the day.  Manchester City also won keeping the title race very close.  Cardiff City's next match is away to West Bromwich while Liverpool host Sunderland at Anfield.