Liverpool were dealt a huge blow in their charge for the Premier League title as Swansea City narrowly beat them 3-2 at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Liverpool’s winless run in the Premier League this year continued as the Reds succumbed to a 3-2 home loss on Sunday against a Swansea City side many predicted them to roll over. While that was another example of Premier League’s remarkable unpredictability, Liverpool are now at risk of losing further ground in the title race.
A defensively organised Swansea City took the field in the first half, as Paul Clement set his side up to not give the Liverpool attack an inch of space to exploit. A frustrated Liverpool could just bide their time as chances came few and far between.
At the start of the second half, Swansea blew Liverpool away within the first ten minutes of the restart as Fernando Llorente grabbed a brace in four minutes to send shock waves across Anfield.
17 – Liverpool’s unbeaten Premier League run at Anfield has ended after 17 matches (W11 D6). Stop.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 21, 2017
However, Liverpool weren’t the one to go down without a fight and showed plenty of character to get back on level terms through two goals from Roberto Firmino. But, with 15 minutes left on the clock Gylfi Sigurdsson struck a hammer blow with a neat, cool finish from close range to re-establish Swansea’s lead.
Liverpool were unable to recover from that goal, and as their title hopes take a big hit the Hard Tackle takes a look at the major talking points to emerge from the match.
Title Hopes In Tatters?
Liverpool kicked off the season in remarkable fashion, as after a disappointing loss to Burnley in the second gameweek of the season, they embarked on an eleven-match unbeaten run that pushed them to the upper echelons of English football.
There were no surprises when Jurgen Klopp’s side were touted to be one of the front runners to win the Premier League this season, and many believed that this was the season the Reds would finally break the duck.
Liverpool’s loss to Swansea is their first Premier League defeat at Anfield for 370 days.
Unbeaten run over. pic.twitter.com/Qw9sJPj2cH
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 21, 2017
However, the turn of the year hasn’t been kind on their fortunes, as Liverpool are yet to win in the Premier League in 2017. The two draws, and the loss this week, have pegged them back in the chase to win the title.
The creativity has taken a hit, and the attacking swagger has disappeared to a large extent. With the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester United picking up form right around the time they’re dropping their performances levels, Liverpool must raise their game or risk not only losing ground in the title race but also lose their place in the Top 4.
Defensively Soft: Matip Must Return Soon
Liverpool got a late clearance from FIFA to field Joel Matip in the game against Swansea after frustratingly not getting any updates from the organisation in the last 7-10 days. However, as Jurgen Klopp chose to stick with Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan in the heart of the Liverpool defence, there is reason to believe that it was a wrong decision on the German’s part.
Liverpool dominated possession in the first half even though they couldn’t make much of a mark on the opposition defence. That also meant that the Swansea attack couldn’t manage to test the home side’s back four much in the first 45 minutes.
Liverpool have lost 4 games in all competitions this season – Joel Matip has not started any of them.
LLLL
Conceded: 10
Clean sheets: 0 pic.twitter.com/j39v9LCee2— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 21, 2017
However, Paul Clement’s side started the second half on the front foot and they put Liverpool under pressure right from the off. That was when the Liverpool back four started to unravel and implode, as they made several uncharacteristic errors to expose their soft side, starting with Fernando Llorente’s opener.
What stood out was how easily the Swansea attack managed to test the Liverpool defence time and again, and it was another error from Klavan that resulted in Sigurdsson’s winner. With Matip now legally available to play for the Reds, it’s a no-brainer that Liverpool’s best defender must be reinstated in the heart of their defence.
Mane’s Missing Influence: Should Klopp Look For Reinforcements?
Liverpool were bracing to be without the services of their electric winger Sadio Mane, who is away on duty for Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, and it looks like the Reds are desperately missing the influence that he brings to the side.
In his absence, the likes of Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino have started on the right side of the Liverpool attack and suffice to say, the two haven’t nearly managed to create the sort of impact that Mane does, regularly failing to influence games from that flank.
Liverpool have played 3 Premier League games without Sadio Mané in the side.
They haven’t won a single one of them. ? pic.twitter.com/yQA92EZ4dw
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 21, 2017
What is terribly missing from the Liverpool attack currently is the directness and pacy outlet that is present when Mane is in the side. There is nobody in the Liverpool squad currently who can provide width and stretch defences, making the Liverpool attack very one-dimensional.
With Mane’s influence being dearly felt and with Klopp indicating that he won’t be making any signings in January, has the Liverpool boss missed a trick by refusing to add another dimension to the Liverpool attack despite links with the likes of Ivan Perisic, Quincy Promes and Leon Bailey?
Roberto Firmino Dazzles And Philippe Coutinho Fails To Sparkle
Philippe Coutinho was regarded as Liverpool’s talisman when he suffered a cruel injury to his ankle in November. The Brazilian subsequently missed seven league games and his influence, like it is the case with Mane currently, was missed dearly.
Suffice to say, his return was hailed by every Liverpool fan. However, early evidence would suggest that Coutinho would take some more time to rediscover his magical rhythm, as he failed to impact the game for large parts of his stay on the field on Saturday.
3 – Roberto Firmino has scored three goals in his last two Premier League games v Swansea. Comeback.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 21, 2017
In his stead, it was Roberto Firmino who stood up and made himself count when his side needed him the most. In recent weeks, Firmino had been shunted to the right side of the Liverpool attack where struggled to recreate the impact he creates as a false nine.
However, he started Saturday’s game as the false nine again, and he looked to be back to his best as he scored two goals for his side. While he couldn’t lead Liverpool to a win, there are signs that he is rediscovering his best form. All that remains is for Mane to return and for Coutinho to get back to his best.
Paul Clement Is Making A Difference For Swansea
Swansea were a side looking down and on their way out of the Premier League, having already sacked two managers in the first half of the season. All through the first 19 games, they looked fragile at the back and listless up front, and were touted as the odds on favourites to be heading down to the Championship.
Paul Clement’s appointment didn’t look to be inspiring much confidence, and a 4-0 loss to Arsenal would have put an impression of the same product in a new package to outsiders. However, that result didn’t portray the complete picture, and they proved that on Saturday.
Swansea made an incredible 50 clearances at Anfield today; Liverpool made just 13.
Smash and grab victory. pic.twitter.com/zd0umD1vEZ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 21, 2017
For large parts of the match against Liverpool, as was the case against Arsenal last week, there was an air of assuredness about the Swansea defence, as Paul Clement set up a superbly organised side that defended resolutely and denied the Liverpool attack brilliantly.
On the other end of the pitch, they managed to exploit Liverpool’s weaknesses really well and showed signs of improvements as compared to the time under Bob Bradley. The Swans have bought Tom Carroll and Luciano Narsingh in the January transfer window, and the duo will add a different dimension to their attack, with Carroll positively affecting the game on Saturday.
Only three games in and the signs of improvements under Clement are there for everyone to see, with two wins and a loss under the new Swansea boss. Should they continue what they have done in the first three games, survival will be highly likely for the Swans.
