Liverpool host Swansea City in the Premier League on Boxing Day, in a game the Reds must be winning in their quest for Champions League qualification.
Liverpool vs. Swansea City
Boxing Day, 2017 — 5:30pm (GMT)
Anfield
Premier League
Referee: Kevin Friend
Yet again, we were left frustrated by this brilliant but flawed Liverpool outfit on Friday night, on a crazy night at the Emirates.
The 3-3 draw with Arsenal was far from a bad result, but blowing a two-goal lead and conceding three times in less than five minutes once again highlighted this team’s ability to capitulate.
It was yet more dropped points from a winning position – now 43 since Jurgen Klopp took charge in October 2015, which is the most by any team in Europe in that period.
After the disappointment of not seeing off a top-four rival, having dominated them, the Reds must bounce back in style on Boxing Day.
A beleaguered Swansea outfit make the trip to Anfield propping up the rest of the Premier League table, and anything other than three points for the hosts will be unacceptable.
There is the risk of the Swans having a new manager ‘bounce’, with player-manager Leon Britton set to be in charge for the game, but Liverpool should have more than enough quality to prevail.
Klopp is sure to ring the changes, with more taxing matches against Leicester City and Burnley to come in the next week.
That means the ‘Fab Four’ will be broken up, providing fringe players such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dominic Solanke a chance to impress.
Liverpool couldn’t ask for a nicer Boxing Day fixture – they must get the job done in ruthless, professional fashion.
Last Meeting: Liverpool 2-3 Swansea City
Team News
Jordan Henderson is definitely out of the game, after a hamstring injury saw him limp off after just 10 minutes against Arsenal.
Elsewhere, Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno are both still out, but Joel Matip is in contention after returning to full fitness.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to come in for Joe Gomez at right-back, and Simon Mignolet could possibly lose his place to Loris Karius, after a poor showing against the Gunners.
Changes in midfield and attack are a certainty, with the likes of James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain highly likely to feature.
Solanke and maybe even Daniel Sturridge, if he is back to full health again, could come into the attack, with Mohamed Salah in need of a rest.
Swansea have no new injury concerns, which is at least one positive for Britton, at a tricky time for the club.
Last 5 at home to Swansea City (All Competitions)
Liverpool 2-3 Swansea City – January 21, 2017 (Firmino x2; Llorente x2, Sigurdsson)
Liverpool 1-0 Swansea City – November 29, 2015 (Milner pen)
Liverpool 4-1 Swansea City – December 29, 2014 (Moreno, Lallana x2, Shelvey OG; Sigurdsson)
Liverpool 2-1 Swansea City – October 28, 2014 (Balotelli, Lovren; Emnes)
Liverpool 4-3 Swansea City – February 23, 2014 (Sturridge x2, Henderson x2; Shelvey, Skrtel OG, Bony pen)
Form
Liverpool – Last five results (all competitions)
Drew 3-3 vs. Arsenal
Won 4-0 vs. Bournemouth
Drew 0-0 vs. West Brom
Drew 1-1 vs. Everton
Won 7-0 vs. Spartak Moscow
Swansea City – Last five results (all competitions)
Drew 1-1 vs. Crystal Palace
Lost 3-1 vs. Everton
Lost 4-0 vs. Man City
Won 1-0 vs. West Brom
Lost 2-1 vs. Stoke City
Did You Know?
Since Swansea beat Liverpool at Anfield back in January this year, the Reds have lost just two of the 24 matches since, in all competitions.
Klopp’s View
In his press conference, which actually took place after the Arsenal game, Klopp spoke about Britton, comparing it to his formative years as a manager:
“If he stays as manager then it’s the same career I had years ago – that’s how I became a manager at Mainz,” Klopp said.
“Maybe Swansea will take a chance on him. I wouldn’t like to say I know him well because that would be a lie, but I know him as a player.
“I was a lifelong player at Mainz, like he was at Swansea. I think there’s a chance he becomes manager, but we want to stop his dreams.
“Swansea are under pressure and we will be ready for them.”
TV & Live Blog Info
The match finishes off the Boxing Day action in the Premier League, with coverage on Sky Sports Main Event starting at 5:15pm (GMT). Kick-off is at 5:30pm.
Our matchday live blog will be available from 4:45pm, with Henry Jackson in charge, having just about worked off his Christmas dinner.
Fan Comments