* Liverpool went top after 4-1 win over Cardiff
* Mohamed Salah opened the scoring with a close-range finish
* Sadio Mane added superb second for Juergen Klopp’s side
* Cardiff responded through Callum Paterson
* Xherdan Shaqiri and Mane scored late to seal easy victory
* Liverpool visit Arsenal next, Cardiff host Leicester
LIVERPOOL 4 CARDIFF CITY 1
Oct 27 (Reuters) – Sadio Mane scored a brace of goals and Mohamed Salah continued his return to form as Liverpool moved to the summit of the Premier League with a comfortable 4-1 victory against lowly Cardiff City at Anfield on Saturday.
Salah ended any suggestion he was suffering a ‘goal drought’ when he converted from close range after Mane’s shot was parried in the ninth minute — his fourth goal in three matches.
Liverpool enjoyed 86 percent possession and had 12 shots in a commanding first half, the only surprise being that Juergen Klopp’s side did not add a second goal before the break.
It took until the 66th minute for Liverpool to add a second, with Mane wriggling through a couple of challenges before unleashing a fierce drive into the corner with his left foot.
Cardiff City set up a potentially nervy finish when Callum Paterson scored in the 77th minute, but Xherdan Shaqiri and Mane put the game to bed with late efforts.
Liverpool, still unbeaten and winners of eight of their 10 matches, have 26 points — three clear of champions Manchester City who will reclaim top spot if they beat Tottenham Hotspur on Monday evening.
Neil Warnock’s Cardiff side remain 17th with just five points from their opening 10 matches. (Reporting by Tom Hayward; editing by Martyn Herman)
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