Match Report – Swansea City 1-2 Liverpool
A tough fixture for the Swans today, Liverpool were on the verge of the top four, level on points with Arsenal and with their main men; Lallana, Mane, Coutinho and Firminho all starting, a large challenge await-end at The Liberty.
As for Swansea, a loss today could’ve seen us go bottom if results were to not go our way, so bagging our second win would of been essential. The opposition were coming off the back of a 5-1 win against Hull with manager, Jurgen Klopp, expressing that was the “best football we’ve played” under him.
Both Wayne Routledge and Jordan Henderson made their 200th start in the Premier League today.
The Liberty were roaring and at 12:30, the game was underway…
The first chance created the first goal as Swansea went 1-0 up on eight minutes, a set played whipped into the box, nodded towards goal by Borja Baston and tapped in Leroy Fer for his fourth of the season, well worked by Swansea but poor defending from Liverpool.
After 19 minutes, Adam Lallana was forced off the field with an ankle injury, Liverpool were temporarily down to ten men but he was soon replaced by Daniel Sturridge.
Two minutes later, The Swans nearly went 2-0 up, a sublime ball by Gylfi Siggurdson played in behind the Liverpool defence to Jack Cork, unfortunately, the lack of power in Cork’s attempt gave the ball straight to Liverpool goalkeeper Karius.
Late into the first half, Daniel Sturridge was booked for an intentional dive in the penalty area in an attempt to win Liverpool, a great decision from the referee, Michael Oliver.
The first half finished 1-0 Swansea, Liverpool were yet to have a shot on target and The Swans were solid and the pressing was excellent, if they kept this up the 3 points were ours!
The second got off to a lively start, both teams playing with high tempo, Liverpool causing more problems in 5 minutes of the second half than the 45 they had in the first.
It looked likely to come and in the 53rd minute, Firmino bagged Liverpool the equalizer, a lofted ball by Henderson into the box nodded into the bottom left corner with a head by the Brazilian, Swansea needed to keep their cool.
Three minutes later Swansea were lucky not be 2-1 down, a lay off by Wijnaldum set up Coutinho but fortunately his shot just curved around the post.
In the 62nd minute, Leon Britton made way for Ki-Sung Yueng as the Korean looks use his creative ability.
After all the pushing and pressing Liverpool were doing, they were awarded a penalty. Rangel leaning in on Firmino and causing a foul. James Milner stepped up and scored putting it right down the middle, making it Swansea 1-2 Liverpool.
In he 92nd minute Swansea had the perfect oppurtunity to equalize, a cross was put on plate for Van Der Hoorn but he marginally put it wide.
At full-time it finished 2-1 to Liverpool, Swansea played a excellent but ended up being out-classed by a fantastic Liverpool team. After the international break comes a home tie against Watford, a must win, but until then, keep the faith.