Liverpool dropped precious points in the title race after losing 3-2 to Paul Clement’s Swansea side at Anfield
Fernando Llorente continued his fine form as he found the back of the goal during a goalmouth scramble in the 48th minute, before doubling Swansea’s lead 4 minutes later. Roberto Firmino scored a brace himself, first through a header from a James Milner cross and then brilliantly bringing down a pass from Georginio Wijnaldum before smashing the ball home.
Liverpool looked on the rise thanks to his brace, but some poor defending from Ragnar Klavan diverted the ball into Gylfi Sigurdsson’s path in the 74th minute and the Icelandic midfielder made no mistake with his finish, stretching to slide the ball past Simon Mignolet.
Speaking after the game, Jurgen Klopp took some positives from his side’s display but admitted that he had no explanation for their concession of Sigurdsson’s goal. Klopp did feel that Liverpool failed to take their chances, and was not happy with his team’s defensive errors.
“In the first half there was only four or five moments. We expected it because we had to stay patient and create the moments where we could have scored and we couldn’t do it. We needed what we didn’t have in the first half, the kind of last punch in the right situations. We lose one challenge then Llorente is in front of the goalie.”
“The first ball, then the second ball comes back. It’s too easy obviously. [For the] second goal, we can defend the cross, it’s why you should avoid crosses,” he said, according to FourFourTwo. “These things happened. We came back and played really good, we deserved the first goal, deserved the second goal, and the most disappointing moment was [Swansea’s] third goal because I have no explanation at this moment, there were four or five moments to have a challenge and one guy [Sigurdsson] is free.”
The result has struck a big blow to Liverpool’s title hopes, as the Reds stayed 7 points behind league leaders Chelsea who could open the lead up to 10 points if they win they fixture against Hull City tomorrow evening.
Despite Coutinho’s return to the starting lineup, Liverpool have once again shown that despite all their brilliant football they still have a few glaring weaknesses, particularly in defense where Joel Matip – whose loss Klopp bemoaned after the draw at Old Trafford – didn’t feature despite being cleared to play for the Reds by FIFA.
Jurgen Klopp was right to be disappointed as the nature of the goals Liverpool conceded were very sloppy, and the Reds will have to tighten up their defence if they want to keep their title hopes – and maybe even their top 4 aspirations – alive.
