Liverpool vs Swansea: Preview & Prediction

Liverpool will hope to follow up last weekend’s fantastic 4-1 win over Manchester City with a victory over a struggling Swansea side.

The intense work rate and dazzling attacking play on show prompted many to suggest that Jurgen Klopp, who has suffered just one defeat from his first nine matches in charge, is turning Liverpool into a team who can compete for the title again.

Klopp would be the first to admit that this is asking too much too soon, but what could be a more viable aim is a Champions League spot.

The Reds currently sit six points off the top-four and have already played Chelsea, Arsenal and both Manchester clubs away from home.

Liverpool have only lost once in their last 15 competitive games but that one defeat was in their last league game at home against Crystal Palace.

That defeat to the Eagles came on the back of a Europa League tie against Rubin Kazan and Klopp will hope tired legs won’t play a part again after his side beat Bordeaux on Thursday.

Swansea arrive at Anfield with their own problems after only one win from their last 10 games in all competitions.

Only a dubious penalty rescued a 2-2 draw at home against Bournemouth last week and a defeat here could see them drop down to 16th.

Garry Monk has received his fair share of praise over the last year but now he will need to stand up strongly against criticism as the odds on him losing his job have been slashed in recent weeks.

His main concern will be shoring up a defence that has conceded in seven straight games, which is the South Wales outfit’s joint longest run without a clean sheet since joining the Premier League in 2011.

Andre Ayew remains a key player up front for the Swans but could do with some help from his fellow strikers.

Neither Bafetimbi Gomis nor Eder have found the net since August and Monk must be counting the days until January when he can bring another forward in – if he still remains at the helm.

Team News:

Liverpool will be sweating on the fitness of Philippe Coutinho who is a doubt with a hamstring injury. I

If the Brazilian is ruled out he will join another eight players on the treatment table, including Mamadou Sakho (knee), Danny Ings (knee), Jordan Henderson (metatarsal) Joe Gomez (knee).

Daniel Sturridge is likely to miss out again after suffering a foot injury in training on Thursday.

The 26-year-old has only played in three games all season and question marks are starting to be asked after yet another setback.

Swansea City have no players currently out injured but Jonjo Shelvey will miss the game against his former club after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Bournemouth last week.

League Position: Liverpool – 10th (20 pts); Swansea – 14th (14 pts)
Last Meeting: Swansea 0-1 Liverpool (March, 2015)
Key Players: Liverpool – Philippe Coutinho; Swansea – Andre Ayew
Form: Liverpool – DDDWLW; Swansea – DLWLLD
Shoot Says: Liverpool 2-0 Swansea