Patient Liverpool beat Cardiff to regain Premier League lead

Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League table but were made to work hard for victory at relegation-threatened Cardiff City.

The Reds had to be patient as they dominated but found themselves frustrated by a dogged Cardiff side, who had chances of their own to cause an upset.

Liverpool made the breakthrough in spectacular fashion, as Georginio Wijnaldum met Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low corner with a thunderous first-time effort which threatened to break the net.

The wild celebrations spoke of the visitors’ relief, and they had to negotiate some nervy moments, most notably a staggering miss by Cardiff captain Sean Morrison, who miscued a header with the goal at his mercy.

Things then got worse for Morrison, who conceded a penalty after grappling with Mohamed Salah, and substitute James Milner confidently converted the spot-kick to seal victory for the visitors, who remain in the relegation zone, three points adrift of safety.

Liverpool, meanwhile, restore their two-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table, with City playing their game in hand away at Manchester United on Wednesday.