View from Cardiff: 'I want us to go on the front-foot at Anfield'

Promoted as runners-up in the Championship last term, the Bluebirds had struggled to find the net in the top flight until they beat Fulham 4-2 at the Cardiff City Stadium last weekend.

Summer signing Josh Murphy netted in consecutive home league appearances for the first time in his career and fellow new recruit Bobby Reid grabbed his first goal for the club as Cardiff doubled their tally for the season.

The much-needed victory lifted the Bluebirds off the foot of the table and out of the relegation zone.

So, what can we expect from Cardiff at Anfield on Saturday?

Bluebirds fan, writer and editor Michael Morris (@cardiffcitymad) shares his thoughts...

Have the performances been better than the results this season?

Yes, they have. Let's make no mistake, we were dreadful in our submission to Manchester City, but I feel we could have got a draw against Arsenal before losing 3-2.

And on another day, we could have finished level against Tottenham Hotspur after going down 1-0. 

The home game with Burnley wasn't great, though, with Cardiff losing a game 2-1 that they should have won at a canter.

What did Cardiff/Warnock do differently against Fulham?

They gave it a go. The attitude was to attack and try to win the game rather than defend to try not to lose it. It worked against a Fulham side that have conceded more goals than any other side in the top leagues in Europe. 

We also played our two new attacking midfielders together and their pace paid dividends against a Cottagers team that have lost their flair from last season.

How do you expect Cardiff to line up against Liverpool?

After what happened last weekend I think Cardiff will play the same line-up. If we try to be defensive and protective we will get beat, so why not go down fighting? It's worked for other newly-promoted sides in the past.

If we take Liverpool on we may get lucky and force a result. If we sit back, we're probably facing a defeat, in my opinion.

Which player has been the driving force for Cardiff this season?

I think we are benefiting from the Premier League experience and fight that Harry Arter brings to the side.

His addition to the line-up has given us guile and belief that we can compete at this level.

What is the team's biggest strength?

At the moment, unpredictability. Others think it's our direct approach, our reliance on set-pieces. Even though it's not the case, it's still a perception. 

Ryan Sessegnon, a superb player for Fulham, said after we beat them last week, 'We know they are strong at set-pieces and we need to learn from this and go on next week'... but we scored four goals from open play!

And what is giving you cause for concern?

Up front. We have a player signed as a full-back, who played in midfield last season and is now as our target man. In fairness, Callum Paterson has done really well and scored last week.

Which key player battle could swing the game?

Our threat is going to come from the pace of Josh Murphy. If he can get the better of the Liverpool right-back, be it Joe Gomez or Trent Alexander-Arnold, we could get some joy from that route.

What is your prediction for the match?

We have to shock one of the top six. 1-1.