Jurgen Klopp shows Liverpool's post-Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane plan in Cardiff win

It is little wonder Jurgen Klopp had a smile on his face to light up even the brooding grey, sodden skies that swept across Anfield.

Not only did his side impressively maintain their push for four trophies this season, but they did it while suggesting there is a bright future for his young team, even when the golden generation of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane is over.

Cardiff played their part in an entertaining FA Cup tie, produced two moments of controversy when on another day, or with a different VAR mentality of seasons past, they could have had a penalty, and home keeper Caoimhin Kelleher could have been sent off.

But this was Klopp’s afternoon, the moment when his meticulous planning for both present and future came together, to suggest he now has more squad depth than at any time in his Anfield reign.

That will surely silence, for the moment at least, those critics who worry about the club’s ambition in retaining the services of Salah and Mane as contract talks drag on. Because here, the highlights were provided by four players who have been brought in as alternatives to his famous front three.

Diogo Jota needs no introduction as an addition to the Liverpool front line, his fine headed goal merely confirmation that he is now very much established as a first choice, even ahead of Roberto Firmino.

But in the second half, with the impressive visitors tiring, Klopp introduced new signing Luis Diaz AND the teenager Harvey Elliott, returning from a long, worrying injury. The impact was massive, on both the game, and the thoughts of the fans.

They cheered the double substitution for its meaning…with both players instantly producing some fine moments to suggest there is a depth now to the Reds squad that can help them