This was a slightly weird game in a way for me, being from Cardiff but having supported Liverpool for 30 years. I wanted a win for us - the title challenge (or "top 4 consolidation" if you're a pessimist
) is way, way too important - and that would have been the way even if Cardiff were out of trouble and realistically going to stay up. It was the same at Anfield, the Carling Cup final and the League Cup game in '08.
I say 'slightly weird' because I wanted us to win and as I've got a season ticket for the City this year (mainly because I took the ticket over from a friend who passed away between seasons, unfortunately not getting to see the team play in the top division) I've seen how Cardiff can play at home against the bigger teams. Arsenal comfortably out classed them but both Manchester clubs were given a really tough game (although I suspect Man City just turned up expecting 3 points that day). Spurs were actually very good but only managed a 1-0 win late on (a game that included a rare appearance from Lamela!). They are able to raise their game at home and coupled with the obvious relegation threat I thought the stars might align against us.
The way we started - ponderous, no real attempts to press, careless casual passing - I thought my fears were going to prove correct. When Mutch ambled through and blasted the first past Mignolet I was a little worried - Cardiff rarely score from open play, so here's yet another bad omen!! Still, I knew we had goals in us and I didn't have to wait long before a delightful patient move ended up with Johnson squaring the ball for Luis (but in truth it could have been any of 3 of ours) to tap in the equaliser.
It was amazing to hear the Travelling Kop in full voice and when that goal went in they were jubilant. Unfortunately they were stunned back into relative quiet when Campbell scored Cardiff's second. Another goal that seemed just far too easy. Another goal from open play! What's going on?! I looked at the clock and the fact there was ages left meant I wasn't really worried anymore. I knew we'd score again, I just hoped we could keep them out which we'd not really looked like doing.
The goal before half time must have been a sickener for Cardiff. Leading against a top team (and one who hadn't looked totally at the races thus far), I expect they really wanted to hold on so when Skrtel beat a bunch of their defenders to score it must have been quite a blow, psychologically. They'd played with a high tempo and expended a lot of energy and I knew that wouldn't hold out - I expect they'd have been looking to try and sit back and hope for chances on the counter in the second half, should the score have stayed 2-1.
I have sympathies with the way our third went in. It's the rules of course, but it's a stupid rule. For a side to be 2 players down defending a corner - both of which are fairly tall lads - through no fault of their own, it's plain idiotic in my opinion. If that happens to us (in any game) we'd be furious and it's totally understandable. I know why the rule exists and I know that Cardiff could have been tighter defensively, but the fact remains that a team with a 2 player advantage is clearly stronger. It's just a shame the ref's can't use a bit of common sense in these situations, for me.
I'm not sure I agree with Solskjaer's assessment that this was
the turning point in the game - we'd have scored anyway, regardless of whether it was through that corner or not - but it probably had an effect on the way the Cardiff players felt (deflated, hard done by, etc). They now had to chase the game instead of whatever their tactics were to be and as they'd already used up a fair bit of energy with that first half display, it would be a struggle - especially as we began to impose or dominance and control the possession. Of course, we go on to score another two and the game's over anyway.
When Kenwyne Jones headed across goal for their third, I was sure he'd totally screwed up an attempt on goal initially. Johnson and Skrtel switched off and lost him but you have to give some credit to the cross, it was right on the money. I've watched it back numerous times and he does intend to set up Mutch, but I'm still surprised. It's a great chance for him to have a go himself - he's pretty close to goal, has the time and space to get a good leap and attack the ball... just struck me as an odd choice for a striker, but perhaps I'm not giving him enough credit for seeing the opportunity to create instead. At 5-3 with 2 minutes left I knew there'd be no coming back for them but I also knew what was coming - the ball would be launched up for Jones and they'd try to flood the box, 'get it in the mixer' I think is the term from the Sherwood Coaching Manual. Still, I wasn't overly bothered although when the 5 minutes added time came up I must admit I felt a slight twinge of nerves as yet another ball was sent up towards the box.
Of course I was stupid to even allow such thoughts to creep into my head. This is the
new Liverpool, the mentally strong team who're second in the league on merit. Instead of conceding a fourth what do we do?! Race up the other end of the field and add a sixth! Madness, sheer madness.
Loved the ovation at the end and when Rodgers walked over to the away end, his song is so good! I stood applauding (I'm not too far from the tunnel in the grandstand) as the teams walked off and I couldn't keep the grin from my face. I'd seen Chelsea get 6 earlier in the day and the goal difference might be important (thanks, Arsenal) so for us to put in 6 too - ok, we didn't quite keep a clean sheet - was fantastic.
Even when we're not at 100% we're brilliant. What a season this has been