Swansea 0-0 Liverpool – Goal shy Reds lack killer instinct

Swansea City 0-0 Liverpool
Premier League
Sunday, 25th November 2012; Liberty Stadium

Brendan Rodgers’ return to Swansea ended in a goalless draw as Swansea and Liverpool cancelled each other out at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Tellingly, Liverpool are still without a win on a Sunday following a Europa League game this season. The use of key players in both competitions, coupled with the small squad at Rodgers’ disposal is becoming an issue on both fronts now.

Liverpool were much better in the first half, where they saw Raheem Sterling hit the crossbar and Jose Enrique have a goal disallowed for offside.

Rodgers handed a first Premier League start of the season to Jordan Henderson, and Stewart Downing made his first League start since the opening day thrashing at West Brom. Both were withdrawn midway into the second half, with the decision to play Downing at left-back massively backfiring. He may be an option to use their in the Europa League but here he was often caught out of position.

At half-time it looked like only a matter of time before Liverpool made the breakthrough but the second half saw Swansea enjoy much the better half, with Liverpool more of a threat on the counter attack – Suarez and Sterling went through 2 v 1 but Sterling’s heavy pass forced Suarez wide.

At the other end, Pepe Reina looked back to form and fitness. His recent injury layoff could be a blessing in disguise and provide him with refreshed impetus.

Joe Allen and Steven Gerrard made several mistakes and again showed how Liverpool are eager for a return to fitness for Lucas Leiva to solidify their midfield.

Jonjo Shelvey forced a save from Tremmell with a powerful drive late on, while Agger almost headed back across goal to Gerrard for what would have been a tap-in.

Liverpool stay eleventh, a win would have put them eighth. Next up is Spurs away.

Swansea: Tremmel, Rangel, Williams, Chico, Davies, Britton, de Guzman (Agustien 84), Routledge (Dyer 67), Hernandez, Michu, Shechter (Ki 46).
Subs: Cornell, Monk, Tiendalli, Lita.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Downing (Cole 77), Allen, Henderson (Shelvey 77), Gerrard, Enrique, Sterling, Suarez.
Subs not used: Jones, Carragher, Coates, Suso, Sahin.

Referee: Moss
Attendance: 20,621

Stats (SWA – LIV)

Possession: 50% – 50%
Shots: 17 – 21
On target: 8 – 14
Corners: 7 – 6
Fouls: 6 – 10

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