Watershed moment or false dawn? Liverpool's 4-1 win at Manchester City last Saturday was one of the two, but only time will prove which one it was. Jurgen Klopp's men should have it markedly easier this afternoon as struggling Swansea City visit Merseyside, but they've hardly impressed in their home games as of yet. They're yet to secure a Premier League win at Anfield under Klopp, drawing one and losing one, but there's no time like the present.
Like Kieron Dyer munching on an elephant's testicle, or whatever his latest task is over there, there's quite a bit to chew on this afternoon, but let's get you some team news first.
Starting with the Reds and Mr Klopp makes two changes from that scalp at Eastlands. Philippe Coutinho, who came off injured last week, drops out of the squad as Jordon Ibe and Christian Benteke come into the first XI, with Lucas also dropping out through suspension. No Coutinho, but Daniel Sturridge is fit enough for the squad it seems, which will have the red half of Merseyside ecstatic. He's still waiting for his first game under Klopp. Likewise, so is captain Jordan Henderson, who is also on the bench.
On to our friends from South Wales now and Monk makes one change. Jonjo Shelvey is not here because his cat Mr Bigglesworth is ill. That isn't true. He's denied a return to Anfield due to suspension, with Gylffi Sigurdsson coming into a number 10 role. Eder is preffered up front to Bafetimbi Gomis, who hasn't scored since doing that jaguar impression after scoring against Manchester United, which was back in August.
Why not take a few minutes to check what the boys down at Sports Mole HQ have had to say on this one? Do it or I'll tell Diego Costa and Roy Keane that you slagged them behind their back.
Let's look at both sides' recent form and Liverpool's last two league victories would impress Shania Twain. They came from behind to beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on October 31, before smashing City at the Etihad last week as we know - but there was a result in between those two which gives plenty of reason to err on the side of caution.
On November 8, the Eagles struck. Crystal Palace arrived at Anfield and brought Liverpool back down to earth with a humbling 2-1 defeat, with Scott Dann netting an 82nd-minute winner. That was their second league game at home under Klopp, with Southampton grabbing a 1-1 draw in the first one. Third-time lucky, or will Swansea add to their Anfield woes? If they do, they'll need to improve dramatically.
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins might have been tempted to pick up a bargain-busting new manager on Black Friday because, let's face it, Swansea have been pony. Monk's men have managed ONE win since August - and even that was nothing to shout about, given it was a 2-1 victory at Tim Sherwood-managed Aston Villa.
The Swans have managed one point out of a possible nine in recent weeks since that win at Villa Park. They were smashed at home by Arsenal, before losing 1-0 away to Norwich City, but their 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth has restored optimism that Monk has retained the support of his troops.
At 2-0 down inside the first 26 minutes, we're thinking Monk is done for in South Wales. He was, probably, but then his side dragged him out of a very well known creek. Andre Ayew reduced the deficit, before a Shelvey penalty before the break was enough to earn a 2-2 draw. Under the circumstances, it was one point won rather than two lost and they'll need that same resilience this afternoon one would imagine.
DID YOU KNOW? Okay, Swansea aren't playing great, but they'd have to play horrendously bad to equal or better their worst ever defeat at Anfield. Which was? It was when Liverpool won 9-0 during an FA Cup third-round replay in 1990. Lord knows how it was a replay, but it was.
PREDICTION! Twenty minutes to go - let's get a prediction wrong. We're punting for a 2-1 Liverpool win. It won't be an onslaught. Well, it could, but it won't be. Klopp's a good coach, but he can't motivate his players as much for the visit of Swansea compared to a trip to Manchester City. Consequently, they're unlikely to be as dominant this afternoon, but they've still got more than enough quality to win. It'll be close.
The Liberator is laying down the law like the Sherrif of Twitter. Will Swansea get the "pumping" this bloke predicts?
@oluwabiomo Come on, your acting like the fool is still in charge. Now we have Klopp. My prediction is a pumping for Swansea & Monk sacked.
— The Liberator (@Elninocharlatan) November 29, 2015
Here come the players. Bafetimbi Gomis, who isn't in the first XI, looks like one of Milli Vanilli when he hasn't got those glorious deadlocks in a pony tail. The Premier League music is brutal, isn't it?
Is Movember still a thing? Let's hope so, because if Kyle Naughton didn't grow that horrendous thing above his lip for charity then he must have a screw loose.
Liverpool bossing possession, to the point where I'm not sure Swansea have made a single pass as of yet, but Fabianski gathers Emre Can's deep cross now and Swansea finally have a bit of ball.
OFF THE POST! So, so close to the opener for Liverpool as Ibe gallops away from Neil Taylor as he goes one-on-one with Fabianski, but he delays the execution and Bartley's last-ditch recovery tackles prods the ball against the post and Swansea survive. Ibe should've scored himself it should be said.
Good response by Swansea as Naughton - who has got forward well so far - whips in a decent cross, but Eder prods it wide without knowing too much about it. Moreno will have to keep an eye on Naughton. Never trust a man with a moustache.
Good defensive work by Andre Ayew as he helps out left-back Neil Taylor with the jet-heeled Ibe. It's going to have to be d disciplined defensive display from the visitors if they want to leave with any sort of result.
CHANCE! What a ball from Can as he plays a beautiful over-the-top cross for Benteke, whose first touch is good, but he slips at the crucial moment and Naughton is back around to mop up. We don't see Benteke playing on the shoulder too often but he seems to be doing that today.
Seventeen minutes in. It's been a good start for the hosts, who have already hit the post through Kyle Bartley, but still goalless. This one is never ending 0-0 though.
Referee Anthony Taylor has barely had to blow his whistle this evening. It's been a match played at a nice tempo and fluency; none of this stop-start stuff.
Brilliant defensive work from Emre Can as he shoulders Eder off the ball in a no-nonsense barge which has every Liverpool fan inside Anfield clapping. Lucas who?
Terrific strength from Ashley Williams to prevent Benteke from reaching Lallana's cross. The Belgian wants a penalty, but Taylor is having none of it. Williams versus Benteke will be an interesting subplot today.
SLIP! Brilliant cross from Moreno is chested down by Ibe, who was about to smash the ball but he slipped at the vital moment. Neil Taylor is having a mare at left-back. Liverpool well on top.
BLOCK! Well, Taylor makes amends for his previous sins with a terrific block to keep Ibe's first-time volley, which had some sting in it believe you me.
This is much better from Swansea as Taylor whips in a fantastic cross, but Lovren leaps above both Eder and Ayew to clear the danger. Very promising from the visitors.
Swansea appear to have weathered the Liverpool storm for the moment and, actually, they've been the stronger side in recent minutes. They're knocking it around very, very well indeed and Liverpool are struggling to get close to them at times.
Ten minutes until the break and for all of Liverpool's dominance in the first 30 minutes or so, Fabianski hasn't had a single save to make. They're running out of ideas a little.
Five minutes to go and Swansea boss Garry Monk will be delighted with this first-half display. Despite one or two hairy moments, they've been relatively solid, but Liverpool have a free kick in a fine area now after Bartley fouls Benteke.
That's all she wrote in that 45 minutes. Who's the happier manager? It's Garry Monk without a doubt. Swansea have endured plenty of pressure without ever really looking shaky in defence. Well, Kyle Bartley hit his own post in the first few minutes after Jordon Ibe fluffed a one-on-one, but for the most part, Liverpool haven't done enough in the final third.
KICKOFF: We're back underway here folks as Swansea kick us off once again. Monk will be delighted with what he saw in the first half, but there's a big 45 minutes ahead - both for Swansea and under-fire Monk.
Anfield collectively sighs now as an over-hit through ball for Benteke is gobbled up by Bartley. The home fans are frustrated - very frustrated. It's been a hugely unconvincing display so far.
Swansea have started this half much, much better than the first. Overall, they've probably been the best team over the last 20 minutes of play, but he's Liverpool now.
SAVE! This is the first save that either keeper has had to make, and it's a good one from Fabianski as he tips Ibe's near-post drive wide, with the corner coming to nothing. Better from the Reds, but Eder is down receiving treatment now which will stifle their momentum a little.
Worryingly for Swansea, Liverpool getting on top now, but the visitors are defending excellently it has to be said. Williams and Bartley have been exceptional, despite the latter hitting his own post earlier in the contest.
Excellent penalty by Milner as he fires Liverpool ahead. Deserved? Probably not, but few will care. So stupid from Taylor. It's a really, really soft penalty to concede and Monk will be furious.
SUB: Bafetimbi Gomis replaces the ineffective Eder now. Will that spark Swansea? Probably not, but let's see. He had an excellent start to the season, so let's see if he can get back among the goals.
CHANCE! We said Liverpool need a second to make sure of the points, and it should've come here as Milner drags a left-footed shot wide of Fabianski's post. Fifteen minutes to go. Swansea won't score this evening. They've not done enough.
Excellent attack from Swansea now as Montero - who replaced Routledge a moment ago - saw his shot blocked and the corner comes to nothing. Much better from the visitors.
Swansea are applying the pressure now. Why didn't Montero start? He's been so lively, as has Gomis funnily enough, but time running out. Ten minutes to play.
Seven minutes. Liverpool totally on the back foot, but they get a let-off here as Sigurdsson slips at the final moment as his cross goes out for goal kick. Big last 10 minutes for Swansea, including stoppage time.
So, James Milner's 61st-minute penalty is enough to give Liverpool a 1-0 win over Swansea. Neil Taylor stupidly gave it away when he handled a Jordon Ibe cross and that's the defining moment of an otherwise relatively poor game. That's it from us. See you next time!
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