Preview: Liverpool vs. Swansea City

All eyes will be on Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers this weekend when he hosts his old club Swansea City at Anfield following a poor run of results.

The Reds look increasingly unlikely to reach a Champions League qualifying spot this season following Monday night's 2-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion, which placed them 12 points adrift of fourth place in the Premier League table.

In contrast, the Swans head into the match under manager Michael Laudrup on the back of a 4-1 triumph over Queens Park Rangers at the Liberty Stadium, placing them one point ahead of their Merseyside opponents in seventh place.

Despite their strong position in the table, Swansea have only won one away fixture in their last six games, while the Reds need to overcome the disappointment of losing to Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League on Thursday.

Daniel Sturridge could return to Liverpool's lineup if he's passed fit from a recent thigh injury, while Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard are expected to man the midfield.

Meanwhile, Swansea's Chico Flores is out injured for the trip to Anfield, but Michu is likely to start up front for the Welsh outfit.

Recent form

Liverpool: LLDDL

Swansea City: WLDDW

Possible starting lineups

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique; Henderson, Lucas, Gerrard, Downing; Sturrdige, Suarez

Swansea City: Vorm; Rangel, Williams, Monk, Davies; Dyer, De Guzman, Ki, Hernandez, Routledge; Michu

Sports Mole says: 2-1