Liverpool 1-0 Swansea City – Milner makes it 3 more points

Premier League
Sunday 29 November 2015 - 4:15 pm
Anfield
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0Swansea
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Liverpool move up to sixth in the Premier League with victory over Swansea City at Anfield.  

Jordan Henderson was named on the bench - his first return to the LFC teamsheet for 3 and a half months.  Daniel Sturridge, who missed the midweek game after some minor foot problem, was also a sub.

With Lucas Leiva out through suspension (after collecting 5 yellow cards) Klopp opted to replace him with a more attack minded player than Joe Allen - Firmino, Lallana and Ibe all chosen to support striker Christian Benteke.

Before kick off Anfield was filled with a minute of applause in honour of former player Gerry Byrne who passed away yesterday.

Byrne, who played for the reds for 12 years, broke his collarbone 3 minutes into the 1965 FA Cup Final but continued playing and indeed created the first LFC goal as the reds went on to win the cup.

Applause for former Liverpool player Gerry Byrne at Anfield

Back to present day Liverpool....

From the first whistle the reds were on the front foot, pressing the ball and using the trio of Lallana, Firmino and Ibe to full effect to run at a Swansea side lacking in confidence.

There were good touches too from Emre Can, a player growing in confidence now in midfield and a player that appears to be one of many unshackled by the new German manager.

Klopp, watching his 10th game in charge of Liverpool, was applauding the good play from the touchline.

Benteke was brought down by Williams just outside the box but the referee missed the incident - it could have been a real opportunity.

Another chance - a Liverpool corner causing trouble as the Swansea keeper and defence went for the same ball.

Milner allowed Swansea some brief respite when he received a yellow card just before the half hour, but the reds were soon back  in motion.

Swansea did eventually get their foot on the ball for a few minutes, ironically whilst many supporters had their eyes on the touchline.  Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge receiving applause during a first half warm up.

Liverpool were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position a couple of minutes before the break but, after a lengthy discussion with James Milner, Alberto Moreno fired it over the crossbar.

Would the second half be more favourable for the reds?

Fortunately it was.

Despite a better start from Swansea it was Liverpool who got the goal just after the hour.

It may have been harsh if you were a Swansea fan, but Neil Taylor did clearly handball from a Jordon Ibe cross.  James Milner, for the second time in a week, stepped up and scored the penalty.  In midweek his penalty was the equaliser, today it ultimately turned out to be the winner.

Klopp watched the penalty go in via the reaction of the supporters that he had turned to face, before blowing them a kiss when they rose to their feet.

Klopp smiles after the Liverpool goal

Immediately a substitution - Jordan Henderson returning to first team action for the reds - replacing Roberto Firmino.

Shortly after Daniel Sturridge too was sent on - replacing Benteke.  How will the Liverpool manager use the two forwards in future?

The change brought an immediate improvement - Henderson finding Milner who flashed a shot narrowly wide of the goal, but slowly as the final whistle approached the nerves returned.

The crowd and players grew tense together and Klopp was roaring at his players from the sideline.

There was a late corner for Swansea in the second of five added minutes - but the wind helped it out.

Klopp's 10th game in charge ends in another victory and the reds finally make some decent movement in league position - a leap from 10th to 6th and a rare win after a midweek Europa League game.

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