Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage as Liverpool welcome Cardiff City to Anfield in the Premier League. We should have some team news through for you shortly...

LIVERPOOL: Mignolet; Johnson, Flanagan, Skrtel, Sakho; Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling; Suarez

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Jones, Toure, Agger, Alberto, Aspas, Moses, Kelly

As expected, Liverpool have kept the same starting XI that destroyed Tottenham Hotspur 5-0 last weekend. Luis Suarez, who signed a new long-term deal with the club yesterday, captains the side once more.

39 - Liverpool have scored 39 goals in 16 games in 2013-14; the last time they had as many was in the title-winning 1987-88 season. History. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2013

CARDIFF: Marshall; Theophile-Catherine, Caulker, Turner, Taylor; Noone, Medel, Mutch, Whittingham, Gunnarsson; Odemwingie

Cardiff have made just the one change following last weekend's 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion. Aron Gunnarsson comes into the side, while Fraizer Campbell is the man to make way.

CARDIFF SUBS: Lewis, Hudson, John, Cowie, Kim, Campbell, Cornelius

There's plenty at stake today in terms of the top of the Premier League table. Liverpool will temporarily move one point clear of leaders Arsenal if they beat Cardiff. What a carrot that is to dangle in front of Brendan Rodgers's men.

The hosts are also likely to be buoyed by the news that Luis Suarez has signed a long-term contract extension with the club. The Uruguayan striker, who has scored 17 goals in 11 games this season, penned the deal yesterday. While his future might still be in some doubt depending on where his capricious mind takes him, Suarez is sure to have a big say on today's match.

If things seem fairly rosy for Liverpool at the moment then it's a completely different story for Cardiff. What a week it's been for the Welsh club...

Rumour has it that this will be Malky Mackay's last game in charge of Cardiff following a spat with owner Vincent Tan. The Malaysian businessman claimed that he was "upset and angry" by Mackay's comments that he was keen to sign three new players during January. Tan was swift to respond, saying that Mackay was unfairly getting supporters' hopes up because there is in fact no money to spend.

If that wasn't enough drama, Tan has reportedly told Mackay to resign or face the sack. Needless to say, the club seems to be a complete mess at the moment. However, Mackay has thanked his fellow managers for the support that they have given him regarding the situation. Nearly every other boss in the Premier League has come out in defence of the Scot.

Malky Mackay talking to BT Sport: "My whole focus is on the game right now, my duty is to the team."

RECENT FORM:

LIVERPOOL: WDLWWW
CARDIFF: LDLDLW

While Cardiff have been in indifferent form during the past few weeks, Liverpool are gunning for a third straight win this afternoon. The Merseysiders have been ruthless in front of goal for those games, finding the net 14 times and conceding just twice.

12 - 12 of Luis Suarez's 17 Premier League goals this season have been scored at Anfield; from just 5 appearances. Haven. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2013

HEAD TO HEAD: Strangely enough, Cardiff have the better record than Liverpool when it comes to past meetings between the teams. The Welshmen have triumphed 16 times to Liverpool's nine, while there have been three draws.

When it comes to playing at Anfield, it's all square between the sides. Liverpool and Cardiff both have seven wins each from their past 14 encounters on Merseyside.

However, it was Liverpool's day the last time they met. The Reds earned a dramatic victory in the League Cup final in 2012 as they beat Cardiff on penalties after the teams drew 2-2 after extra time.

Photo: We're almost ready to go at Anfield... #LFC pic.twitter.com/PbBPd60FNx

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 21, 2013

REFEREE WATCH: The man in the middle for today's match is Lee Probert. Ron Ganfield and Mark Scholes are running the lines, while Phil Dowd is the fourth official.

Not long to go now as both sets of players begin to emerge in the tunnel, readying themselves to step out on the pitch at Anfield.

Here come the teams!

It must be said that there are plenty of 'Tan Out' banners in the Cardiff end. There's even one that says 'We want out club back'.

Right. The pre-match handshakes have been done and it will be Liverpool to get us underway. Here we go!

An early couple of opportunities fall the way of Liverpool as Sterling's low cross is cut out by the Cardiff defence before Suarez shoots off target.

Credit to Cardiff, they haven't been dominated too much in the opening stages. They give Liverpool something to think about as Mutch whips a cross in from the right side, but Mignolet is there to come off his line and gather the ball comfortably.

CHANCE! Close for Liverpool! Sterling shows blistering pace down the right before squaring for Suarez inside the area. The Uruguayan tries to steer the ball into the far corner, but a Cardiff defender is there to block his effort. Coutinho then fires wide on the rebound.

The home side are starting to crank the pressure up a bit at the moment. They're pinning Cardiff back, using the whole of the opposition half to stretch the Welsh visitors. However, the away side remain firm.

Brendan Rodgers won't be happy with that. Mutch is given the ball far too easily deep inside the Liverpool half, but he can only smash a wild effort well wide of goal. Still, that should give Cardiff some encouragement as they look to keep Liverpool at bay.

SAVE! Good goalkeeping from Mignolet to deny Noone! Cardiff broke with pace there as Noone was fed the ball around 25 yards from goal. The midfielder's shot looked to be heading towards the top corner, but Mignolet was there to push it away for a corner, which Mutch heads wide from.

CHANCE! Some space opens up for Suarez on the edge of the box, but the stand-in captain sees his low drive deflected wide. Cardiff just about survive the resulting corner as the ball pings about inside the area.

If any Liverpool fans thought that today would be an easy three points for their team then they've been wrong so far. Cardiff have rode their luck at times, though they've also made it very difficult for the hosts by an organised display in defence and midfield. Concentration will be key for Malky Mackay's team if they are to come away from Anfield with anything this afternoon.

There isn't much of a flow to the game right now as referee Lee Probert continues to blow for little, petty fouls. That won't bother Cardiff, but there's just a tinge of frustration growing among one or two Liverpool supporters inside Anfield.

Who else? Luis Suarez fires Liverpool in front with a superb volley from the edge of the box. Henderson floated the ball to his teammate, who made no mistake from 18 yards with a powerful effort into the bottom corner. He simply can't stop scoring at the moment.

There's a completely different look to this game now as Liverpool start to control things. Meanwhile, Cardiff are playing a bit more cautiously as they try to find a way back into this match.

Half a chance for the visitors as Whittingham's free kick is met at the back post by Caulker, but the defender can only head into the waiting arms of Mignolet while under the attention of Skrtel.

19 - Luis Suarez has now scored 19 PL goals at Anfield in 2013 - no other player has scored more than 19 overall in the PL this year. Home.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2013

Suarez really is just unstoppable at the moment. Best player in the Premier League? Probably.

OFF THE POST! Nearly a second for Liverpool thanks to the trickery of Coutinho. The Brazilian got away from his man with a neat flick following a short corner before finding the woodwork as he tried to beat Marshall from a tight angle.

CHANCE! Close again for the hosts! A free kick was whipped into area towards Skrtel, but the defender can only head over from about eight yards. He should have at least got that on target.

CHANCE! Liverpool are really knocking on the door at the moment. Suarez nearly grabbed a second goal of the match as he narrowly missed a cross from the right. Flanagan then poked the ball towards goal in search of his second goal in two weeks, but his effort was cleared off the line.

Cardiff have done well so far, but they're starting to look like a bit of a shambles defensively. Liverpool are trying to exploit that deficiency as the half-time whistle looms.

YELLOW CARD: Liverpool's Martin Skrtel is the first player to go into the book this afternoon after chopping down Mutch with Cardiff looking to break.

It's all so simple for Liverpool as they double their lead thank to Raheem Sterling. Suarez sprung the offside trap before running through on goal. He could have had a go himself but instead chose to square to Sterling, who rolled the ball into an empty net. Lethal.

3 - Raheem Sterling has scored in three of Liverpool's last four Premier League games. Form.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2013

What can you say? Liverpool have all but sealed the win thanks to another beauty from Luis Suarez. Flanagan fed Henderson on the edge of the box, who then backheeled it to Suarez. The striker was about 25 yards from goal, but that didn't stop him curling a wonderful strike past Marshall and into the far corner.

Well, what a half that was if you're a Liverpool fan. The hosts lead Cardiff City 3-0 thanks to two goals from Luis Suarez and one from Raheem Sterling. Cardiff did well to stay in contention during the opening 20 minutes, but the hosts ran riot soon after as they look on course to go top of the table.

As it stands, Liverpool will be moving one point clear of Arsenal in the table. You can take a look at the projected standings here.

10 - Luis Suarez has scored 10 goals in December in the Premier League; more than any player has ever managed in a single month. Stuffing. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2013

You have to say that it's a case of damage limitation for Cardiff now. Who knows how many Liverpool could go on to score...

PL RECORD: Luis SUAREZ becomes the first player to score at least TWO goals in FOUR PL matches in a row. LIV 3-0 CAR (HT) #lfc — Infostrada Sports (@InfostradaLive) December 21, 2013

Right, the players are back out and it will be Cardiff to get us underway.

The hosts have an early sight of goal as Sterling takes aim from the edge of the box, but the winger can only flash his effort wide. An ominous start to the second period if you're a Cardiff fan.

CHANCE: Close again for Liverpool as Coutinho picks the ball up around 25 yards from goal. However, the Brazilian fails to get his shot on target as the ball goes narrowly wide.

SUBSTITUTIONS: A couple of changes for Cardiff here as Kim Bo-Kyung and Fraizer Campbell replace Peter Odemwingie and Gary Medel. Meanwhile, Jon Flanagan makes way for Martin Kelly for Liverpool.

Cardiff have a lifeline thanks to Jordon Mutch! A Whittingham free kick was whipped in from the right, and there was Mutch unmarked at the back post to head in past Mignolet.

That goal has ever so slightly changed the atmosphere inside Anfield as well as giving Cardiff some encouragement for the final 30 minutes. They now have something to work with. It also must be said that the substitutions from Malky Mackay have given his side a real boost.

CHANCE! Mutch again comes close for Cardiff as he heads over from a corner on the left. Liverpool were all over the place there with their marking. The Welsh side are giving as good as they get now, though they will be very aware of how dangerous the hosts are on the break if they commit too many men forward.

Plenty of noise coming from the Cardiff end, mainly the chant 'Malky in, Vincent out'.

The one are where Cardiff certainly fancy their chances is when they win corners, free kicks etc. as demonstrated just then with Turner heading straight at Mignolet from a Whittingham free kick.

3 - Liverpool have scored three or more goals in their last six home Premier League games. Fortress. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2013

Twenty minutes left to play at Anfield and Liverpool still lead Cardiff City 3-1. However, it could be a nervy ending to the match if the visitors manage to grab a second goal in the next 10 minutes or so. Credit to Cardiff - they're not giving up the fight just yet.

YELLOW CARD: Raheem Sterling goes into the book now for a reckless challenge on Whittingham. Not a particularly clever one from the winger, that.

OFF THE POST! Almost the hat-trick for Suarez, but he's denied by the woodwork! Sterling broke through the Cardiff defence before Suarez took over. However, the striker could only hit the post from a tight angle with two Cardiff players on the line.

CHANCE! Nearly a goal for Allen as the Liverpool midfielder rose above his marker to head Coutinho's corner narrowly over the bar. Cardiff are riding their luck at the minute as the hosts try to kill the game off.

SUBSTITUTION: A final change for Cardiff sees Andreas Cornelius replace Aron Gunnarsson. The visitors need a goal soon.

SUBSTITUTION: It's Liverpool's turn to make a swap as Daniel Agger comes on for Philippe Coutinho. Brendan Rodgers clearly feels that he needs to beef up his defence heading into the final stages of this match.

Around five minutes of normal time remaining at Anfield and it looks as if Cardiff's chances of getting anything out of this game have all but gone. They've made a real go of it during the second half, but time is running out for them.

Huge credit must go to the Cardiff fans, who have sung their hearts out pretty much all afternoon. Needless to say, they're still not too keen on Vincent Tan.

Four minutes added time at Anfield...

Referee Lee Probert blows the full-time whistle and Liverpool have moved one point clear at the top of the Premier League table thanks to a 3-1 win over Cardiff City at Anfield. Two goals from Luis Suarez and a Raheem Sterling strike put the hosts in a commanding 3-0 lead at the break before Jordon Mutch pulled a goal back for Cardiff in the second half.

Anyway, that's all from me for now but don't forget that you can follow live text coverage of all today's other games in the Premier League right here on Sports Mole. So, take a look around and see what takes your fancy. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon, and goodbye!