Liverpool 4-1 Cardiff City: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis, Premier League 2018-19

#3 Liverpool's new signings are making a difference

Xherdan Shaqiri scored his first goal for Liverpool

It's taken a while, but Fabinho is finally starting games for Liverpool in midfield and is making a difference. He has been an immense presence for the Reds in both the games he's started this week and has offered something immensely different from what they're used to in the midfield.

As the defensive midfielder, the Brazilian didn't have much defensive work to do, per se. But there was so much more he offered to the Reds.

In past seasons, Liverpool have struggled against packed defences, when they haven't been able to use their pace to get in behind the defence. They have needed guile to break open stubborn opposition and they've not had it. Fabinho didn't provide much guile, but he provided passing through the lines from deep in midfield.

The criticism most often levelled against Jordan Henderson has been that he is too safe with his passing from the no.6 role. In these two games, Fabinho has shown exactly why that criticism has been levelled on him. His ability to dribble past a man, and make incisive passes have been telling.

Xherdan Shaqiri has been a difference-maker as well. The Reds went into a slumber at the start of the second half, and needed a wake-up call. Klopp provided them with that by replacing Lallana with Shaqiri in the 60th minute. The Swiss immediately brought in an urgency and directness, which meant Cardiff were penned further back.

Shaqiri also rounded off a bright cameo with his first Liverpool goal which he took brilliantly. He received the pass from Salah in the area, before a drop of the shoulder put two defenders on the floor, meaning he could easily slot the ball into the bottom corner.