Complex sentence: Shankly liked Melia and used him as part of his plan for Liverpool to rule English football, the first attempt at promotion fell short again by 8 points as Cardiff City finished 2nd behind champions Aston Villa.
Split into simpler sentences: Shankly liked Melia and used him as part of his plan for Liverpool to rule English football. The first attempt at promotion fell short again by eight points as Cardiff City finished second behind champions Aston Villa.