By Shane Callaghan , Reporter
Filed: Friday, November 27, 2015 at 19:33 UK
Last Updated: Friday, November 27, 2015 at
19:33 UK
Liverpool host struggling Swansea City at
Anfield on Sunday hoping to kick on from their
4-1 demolition of Manchester City last
weekend in what was arguably Jurgen Klopp 's
finest moment so far.
As one manager settles into the hot seat,
Swansea's Garry Monk sits uncomfortable in
his and defeat on Merseyside could yet spell
the end of his stint with City.
Liverpool
Whether it is a watershed moment in the
Klopp era or a false dawn, one thing is certain:
Liverpool, on their day, can be exceptional and
their obliteration of Manchester City proved
that.
The Reds, to a man, were superb last Saturday
evening as a wonderful high-energy pressing
tactic for the entire 90 minutes saw them
demolish the title challengers. It was 4-1 but
it could and should have been far more
emphatic.
It was a victory made all the more remarkable
given that Klopp's side had lost 2-1 to Crystal
Palace at Anfield in the previous game. They
may be a bit Jekyll and Hyde, but few can
cope with them at their monstrous best.
Klopp was brash in his first press conference,
predicting that he would deliver at least one
Premier League title before he leaves
Merseyside - the words of a manager with an
unflinching belief in his own ability. With two
Bundesliga crowns on his CV, why not?
Given that he has already masterminded
comfortable wins away to champions Chelsea
and City with a team assembled by his
predecessor Brendan Rodgers , it is difficult
not to believe his title promise.
This season, though, Champions League
qualification is the aim. As it stands,
Liverpool sit six points adrift of the top four.
Their home form remains suspect, with Klopp
drawing one and losing one of his first two
league games at Anfield, but surely that will
fall into place. Sunday is good a day as any to
open his account at home.
Recent form: DDDWLW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWLWW
Swansea City
Last weekend's 2-2 draw at home to top-
flight new boys Bournemouth will have done
little to help Monk's cause. With just one
victory since August, it can be no surprise to
learn that Monk is odds-on favourite to be the
next sacked Premier League manager.
"I think one result or one good performance
can change your whole mentality," the 36-
year-old was quoted as saying by Wales
Online during the week. He certainly needs one
of those at Anfield on Sunday evening.
However, the manner of the point against
Bournemouth last week has given rise to
suggestions that Swansea are not hanging
their young manager out to dry just yet.
City, whose last victory came against bottom-
of-the-table Aston Villa in October, found
themselves 2-0 behind with 26 minutes
played at the Liberty Stadium, but Andre Ayew
reduced the arrears, before Jonjo Shelvey
equalised from the penalty spot on 39
minutes.
Under the circumstances, it will have certainly
felt like one point earned rather than two
dropped, but it was also a sign that perhaps
he has not lost the support of his players. He
cannot afford to.
Visiting Liverpool is the first in a trilogy of
tricky fixtures for the Swans, who host top-of-
the-table Leicester City next week, before then
facing Manchester City on December 12.
Five points separate Swansea from the
relegation zone as it stands. Monk, for the
first time in his blossoming managerial career,
needs that big result he referred to during the
week. Anything less and it could be the
beginning of the end for him in South Wales.
Recent form: DLWLLD
Team News
Sturridge is unlikely to figure on Sunday after
suffering a setback as his long-awaited first
game under Klopp looks poised to go on, while
captain Jordan Henderson is still a bit away
from first-team action.
Lucas Leiva has been one of Liverpool's most
impressive players under the German so far,
but suspension means that Joe Allen is likely
to displace him in the first XI.
Martin Skrtel sat out the 2-1 Europa League
win over Bordeaux through illness, and Kolo
Toure could continue alongside Dejan Lovren -
who has deputised for the injured Mamadou
Sakho - in the middle of defence.
Meanwhile, Swansea City midfielder Shelvey
will miss the visit to his former club as he
also serves out a one-game ban this weekend.
Up front, Monk must decide whether to stick
with Eder or bring back Bafetimbi Gomis , who
has not scored since August.
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Moreno; Allen,
Can, Milner; Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino
Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Naughton, Bartley, Williams, Taylor;
Ki, Britton; Ayew, Cork, Routledge; Eder
Head To Head
Ominously, Swansea City have lost five of their
last six meetings with Liverpool in all
competitions, with the only exception being a
2-2 draw in South Wales over two years ago.
Furthermore, the Swans have shipped no fewer
than 13 goals in their previous three Premier
League visits to Anfield.
Interestingly, Monk played for Swansea in their
last away win over the Reds - a 3-1 League
Cup victory in October 2012. They have never
beaten them in league competition.

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/preview/preview-liverpool-vs-swansea-city_259475.html

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