Things have gone from bad to worse for Malky Mackay. His Cardiff City have just notched their fourth loss in five matches and could very well find themselves down in 17th by the time the weekend is over. However, it seems unfair that the Bluebirds’ boss could see his final undoing at the feet of Luis Suárez, considering the Liverpool star’s amazing form at the moment.
The match started off brightly enough for the visitors, with Cardiff putting plenty of pressure on Liverpool. They launched their attacks down the right, targeting Joe Flannagan, and in the 15th minute, Craig Noone forced a great save from Simon Mignolet. The Bluebirds could be forgiven for thinking they just might get something from this trip to Anfield.
And then, in the 25th minute, Suárez struck. Jordan Henderson looped the ball over the head of a cluster of blue shirts, and Suárez had no trouble catching it on the volley. He fired it into the bottom left corner, giving David Marshall no chance.
But the Uruguayan was only just getting started. Liverpool took advantage of Cardiff pressing forward and, on a fast break, Suárez easily outstripped the defense. He got on the end of another ball from Henderson and, with only one blue shirt standing in the way, Suárez unselfishly slipped the ball over to an on-rushing Raheem Sterling, who had no problem slotting home.
Just three minutes later, Suárez had his second goal, his 19th of the season. A back and forth with Henderson resulted in a cheeky little backheel from the midfielder. Suárez hesitated not at all, letting his shot fly from the edge of the area, the strike curling out of Marshall’s reach and into the top corner.
Cardiff did manage to make things just a bit interesting, however. Before the hour was up, the visitors pulled one back. Glen Johnson fouled Frazier Campbell, on for Gary Medel not three minutes earlier. Peter Whittingham sent in the free kick and, unbelievably, no one was marking Jordan Mutch. The big man had no problem putting a strong header past Simon Mignolet.
Suárez did his very best to secure a hat trick -- and to put himself at 20 goals in 12 games. He very nearly grabbed his third in the 90th minute, but Marshall managed to trap the ball between his legs. Instead, Suárez will have to wait until next week to see if he’ll manage to get 20 goals before 2014.
LINEUPS
Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Flanagan (Kelly 55), Skrtel, Sakho, Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho (Agger 83), Sterling, Suárez
Goals: Suárez 25', Sterling 42', Suárez 45'
Cardiff City: Marshall, Theophile-Catherine, Taylor, Medel (Campbell 55), Caulker, Turner, Odemwingie (Kim 55), Mutch, Gunnarsson (Cornelius 80), Whittingham, Noone
Goals: Mutch 58'