Cardiff are not out of murky waters yet as they face an unbeaten Liverpool team only after winning their first Premier League game of the season against Fulham.

“We’ve all got to play at the top of our potential to give them a good game and hope they have an off day,” said Cardiff’s boss Neil Warnock, before their away fixture at Anfield.

“I think their front three [Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane] is probably the best in the world.

“But I think we can go there and cause problems,” the manager added.

“I hope the lads are looking forward to it – it’s a special place in football, a remarkable place. It’s massive.”

Cardiff moved out of the Premier League relegation zone after their victory over the Cottagers but second-placed Liverpool have not lost at Anfield in the league since Crystal Palace won there in April 2017.

Liverpool have suffered just two defeats in all competitions this season – one in the Champions League and one in the League Cup – with improvements in their defence as one of the reasons for their consistency.

The Reds have conceded only three goals in nine Premier League matches, a record that owes much to the summer arrival of Brazil shot-stopper Alisson and the January purchase of Netherlands centre-back Virgil van Dijk, who signed for a world-record £75m. Warnock, however, once suggested that Cardiff’s Sol Bamba was a better defender.

“I think I’d been drinking if I’m honest,” said Warnock when reminded of his comment.

“What I meant was if Van Dijk was in our team, you’d see if he was a good defender. He doesn’t have to defend that much in Liverpool’s team because they’re usually in the other half.

“I think they’ve improved with the players they’ve brought in.

“I’m delighted Van Dijk is playing like he is because I think we could have bought him at Palace for £6m but my chief scout said he was too slow. I think he’s still in a job as well! So it just shows you what opinions are about.”