Liverpool FC 1-0 Swansea City AFC – Post-match reaction
Liverpool climbed up to sixth in the Barclays Premier League yesterday after a hard-fought but deserved win against Garry Monk’s Swansea side. A second half James Milner penalty was enough to keep all three points on Merseyside as Jürgen Klopp’s side began to show the kind of grit that has been missing in recent times, on a windy afternoon at Anfield.
Klopp sprung a surprise naming both Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge among the substitutes while many expected another game or two absence for the pair. For the latter, perhaps more in view of his recent injury record. Nonetheless the back four remained as usual in Nathaniel Clyne, Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren and Alberto Moreno.
Another surprise, although welcome was Emre Can taking up the defensive midfield role in place of Lucas Leiva who was serving his suspension for a fifth yellow card of the season, and Joe Allen who despite a decent performance in the week didn’t do enough to warrant a recall. Alongside him, James Milner making up the central defensive pairing. It’s clear Klopp is looking to deploy a more attacking line up at Anfield and this was evident with the two-man midfield supporting advanced attackers Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Ibe. The number 33 taking the place of the injured Philippe Coutinho. Christian Benteke being the loan striker.
It should be noted that this was more akin to the proverbial “professional” performance from the hosts in more than challenging conditions. The howling wind in the stadium made for a difficult task for both teams. Not to mention the fact that Swansea were set up as the archetypal negative, compact visiting side intent of picking up scraps and “nicking” a goal from a set piece. The type of opposition that has frustrated Liverpool at home on many an occasion in the past so this was overall, a good result for the side.
There was no flowing, swash-buckling counter attack as whitnessed against Manchester City or Chelsea. This was a game calling for patience and quality of possession. The stand out performance in my opinion was from Can. The young German was yet again solid in the tackle and industrious throughout. His highlight being in the first half when Swans attacker Éder gained possession and stormed forward into the Liverpool half, only for the 21 year-old to show some surprising pace to catch the Portuguese international and thwart his run with a text book tackle. Swansea appeals for a free kick were rightly ignored by referee Anthony Taylor.
It will indeed be interesting to see what happens with the midfield selection now Henderson has returned to fitness. No doubt he may make a couple more substitute appearances as Klopp, wisely, likes to do with returning players. However, with Can putting in a strong and disciplined performance yesterday, he could well stake a claim ahead of Lucas for the position. I don’t think the fact that the ex-Bayer Leverkusen midfielder finished the game without picking up a yellow card will have gone unnoticed either. An interesting statistic being that he has picked up just four yellow cards in 1,578 minutes of football against the Brazilian’s six in 1,114 minutes. Food for thought.
Elsewhere, Ibe was also impressive running at the visiting defence and causing no end of problems with his pace and willingness to ask questions of the Swansea back line. Notably his second half cross, blocked by the flailing arm of Swans defender Neil Taylor – hopefully no relation to the referee – being deemed handball. Just as it looked as if we may be heading for Klopp’s fourth Premier Leagur draw since his arrival. However, Milner was on hand to slot the resulting penalty past the helpless Łukasz Fabiański to put the hosts ahead. Ibe the instigator, was more than worthy of the praise heaped on him by the manager in his post match interview.
The late introductions of Henderson and Sturridge made a welcome sight as two of the more important senior players returned from lengthy absences through injury. That said, they were helpless to stop a frantic last 15 minutes when the visitors finally came to life. To be fair though it was too little too late as Monk’s side really were worthy losers on the night. A more negative top flight visit I struggle to recall in recent times and had conditions been better, I’m sure the winning margin would have been greater.
Three more points in the bag and four places the better in the Barclays Premiership. Two points behind Tottwnham Hotspurs although I fear a 10-goal difference in addition to the points shortfall may be too much for the Reds to make up – or is it? Having said that, the return of Henderson and Sturridge to the team may well herald better news in front of goal.
Next up are two away trips to Southampton and Newcastle in the Capital One Cup and Premiership respectively. Both being in their own way tricky encounters. The Saints always capable of a win against any opposition and the Magpies seemingly incapable of such but ever dangerous is a side in their current predicament.
The improvement continues and things are looking up with more players coming back from injury and improved performances from all members off the squad. Next up Southampton away at St. Mary’s Stadium.
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