Johnson: Why this team does not panic

Brendan Rodgers' charges fell behind to a Jordan Mutch drive on nine minutes and, after Luis Suarez had capitalised on a perfect cross by the No.2, Fraizer Campbell blasted the Bluebirds into another advantage.

But a Martin Skrtel double built a platform for the Reds to secure a sixth consecutive victory in the Barclays Premier League, with two more from Suarez and a Daniel Sturridge strike sealing a 6-3 scoreline.

After the final whistle, the manager praised the growing tenacity in his team when faced with challenging situations; and Johnson strongly echoed the words of the Northern Irishman.

The defender commented: "One of our main attributes is that we don't panic if things aren't going too well. We know we have always got goals in the team, and to panic wouldn't help anyone.

"Things weren't going well in the first 20 minutes but we dug in. We got in at half-time level and over 45 minutes we can beat anyone.

"The great thing is that when you have got those two up front, you can be under all the pressure you want but one direct ball and they are either one-v-one or two-v-two. They will cause havoc against anyone.

"Of course, we weren't happy to concede three but, equally, we were absolutely delighted to score six. We know we aren't going to score six every week. But we can keep clean sheets and that isn't an issue.

"Games go like this sometimes. These are the ones that you have to dig in and just score more goals than your opponent. We can defend as a team and we have kept loads of clean sheets through the season.

"You could probably look back over the years and see this type of game has been the most difficult we have had, after a big win.

"Everyone at the club was so high last week and it could have been difficult to raise ourselves to the same heights, playing a game that we were expected to win.

"History shows that it doesn't always go that way. But it showed our character to bounce back and get the result. Those three points were just as important as the ones at United."

Half-a-dozen goals at the Cardiff City Stadium increased the Reds' tally for the Premier League campaign to 82 - a new record for the club in this era, and with eight fixtures remaining too.

"We must be good to watch," continued Johnson. "People watch football to enjoy themselves, see goals and exciting football - and I think we provide that.

"Nobody wants the same teams to be winning the title over and over again. I think just to spice things up, the neutrals would want to see us win it. They will be packing a punch for us.

"I think people will be rooting for us because it will be something different. I've not been that surprised by how the season has gone so far. Even last season we were battering teams but not getting the goals.

"At the moment we are playing well and getting the goals. As long as we keep winning our games, we know we will be there or thereabouts."

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Discussing Liverpool's potential to battle for the Premier League title itself, with the team in second place as the run-in kicks off, the 29-year-old insisted that nobody in the squad is looking beyond the next match.

He added: "It's a case of staying calm, really. We aren't getting carried away. The most I think about it is when you guys [the media] mention it. I do try to just go from week to week and do my job.

"By looking at the table and looking at everyone's results, you can pile more pressure on yourself than you need to.

"We are a confident group - we know we can beat any team on our day. If we keep our feet on the ground, hopefully we can let everyone else get excited - and then we can all celebrate together.

"There is always pressure when you play for one of the biggest clubs in the world but we just need to carry on doing what we are doing.

"There is another three points available against Sunderland and we haven't got too long to prepare.

"We have got to rest well, recover and do the job again on Wednesday. The whole squad is going to be needed from now until the end of the season."

The clash with Cardiff was a fourth successive appearance for Johnson, who had previously missed a month of the season earlier this year due to a variety of debilitating injuries.

"This is the best I have felt since I did my ankle against Manchester United," the England international explained.

"When you have bad injuries, it is difficult to come back flying. I've had some other niggling problems but I feel good now. I'm over them."