Swansea City provided Liverpool with a real test as the Reds just about held on for a win. The Welsh side actually took the lead against the high scoring Merseyside club. Leroy Fer got the goal for the Swans after some poor defending in the Liverpool penalty box.
Liverpool came out a different side in the second half and absolutely hammered the Swans. Though the Reds were lucky to head into half time just trailing by one goal, it was Roberto Firmino who turned things around.
The Brazilian scored first from a cross by Jordan Henderson in the second half. Firmino then won Liverpool a penalty which was slotted in calmly by James Milner. Liverpool claimed their fourth Premier League win in a row but a lot of their players were below par.
We look back at the tough game and rate the Liverpool players.
Loris Karius – 6/10
The German goalkeeper made Simon Mignolet look like Manuel Neuer. Karius was poor throughout the game and was lucky to have conceded just one goal. He was flapping at crosses and it certainly is a worry as to how Liverpool will deal with two shaky goalkeepers.
Nathaniel Clyne – 7/10
One of the better players on the night. Clyne was partly responsible for the goal conceded by Liverpool but had a great outing in the second half. He could have done a lot better in the final third but still, it was a pretty good showing.
Dejan Lovren – 5/10
The Croatian had a poor game, especially in the first half. It seems the driving video has taken a toll on the Croatian but he did perform better in the second half.
Joel Matip – 6/10
The former Schalke man was no better than Lovren and had a mixed afternoon. The second half was better as Liverpool somehow did not concede late in the game.
James Milner – 7/10
Milner had a poor first half, just like the rest of the team but he bucked up in the second stanza. The Englishman scored the winning goal but was much better in defence also.
Jordan Henderson – 6/10
The Captain struggled initially but he did provide the cross for the first goal and was always willing to dictate play for the side.
Adam Lallana – NA
Barely got to do much in the game and was taken off in the first half.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 6/10
Wijnaldum again did well in the second half as his running and pressing caused the Swansea side a lot of problems. The Dutch midfielder should have done better in the first half but the entire team was poor.
Sadio Mane – 7/10
Probably the brightest Liverpool player this season, Mane struggled as well. Though his pace was a pain for the Swansea defence in the first half.
Philippe Coutinho – 7/10
The Brazilian was a little off colour and didn’t do all that well in the first half. He did come alive in the second half but the Reds would have wanted more from him.
Roberto Firmino – 7/10
The work rate of the Brazilian cannot be questioned and he kept on running in the game. He got the equaliser for the Reds and then got the winning penalty as well.
Substitutes:
Daniel Sturridge – 6/10
The English striker was brought to replace the injured Adam Lallana and looked a little out of sorts. Sturridge really didn’t feature much in the game, though he did get booked for a dive.
Divock Origi – NA
A late substitute in the game, Origi did make a couple of decent runs but had very little time to make a real impact.
Emre Can – NA
Can came on late in the game and didn’t really do much in the match apart from barging into the referee.
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