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When a resilient Swansea side held Rafael Benitez’s Napoli in the Europa League to a goalless draw, they were expected to give Benitez’s former side Liverpool a tough time at Anfield in the Barclays Premier League. And they almost scraped a point, as Liverpool snatched a 4-3 victory, thanks to a double from both Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson. The victory for Liverpool was a much needed one, after their FA Cup fifth round exit at the hands of Arsenal the previous week.
Liverpool began the game usually with an inch-perfect through ball, but from a different source as Raheem Sterling provided an assist to Sturridge, who scored a goal in his eighth consecutive Premier League match. Earlier when Phillipe Coutinho and Steven Gerrard put those sumptuous through balls, it was pretty normal, but Sterling was an unexpected source. It soon became 2-0 on twenty minutes as Sturridge found Henderson on the box, and Henderson calmly placed the ball where he wanted to.
But Swansea have been giving improved performances under new coach Gary Monk. Having played under Brendan Rodgers for two years of his career, he very well understood Rodgers’ style of play. Monk’s attacking style of football reaped benefits, as Swansea equalised with two goals within the space of seven minutes.
Jonjo Shelvey scored the goal of the game, as he curled the rolling ball into the back of the net from just outside the box. Liverpool fans applauded his effort, just as Shelvey earned their respect by not celebrating against his former team. Soon after, Liverpool conceded a goal from a harshly awarded free-kick, as Wilfried Bony’s shot was sent into the net by Martin Skrtel’s shoulder.
Luis Suárez had been quiet throughout the game, but he seems to have assumed a new role for the Reds. He scored only one goal in the last six games for Liverpool, but provided three assists. And it was time for his fourth assist, as a perfect cross was met by Sturridge, who placed a free header into the net for his 18th goal of the season. It finished 3-2 at half time, Swansea being the first team to score more than 1 goal at Anfield since Chelsea drew 2-2 on 21st April 2013.
Shelvey had to be forced off due to a suspected hamstring strain, but the second half started positively for Swansea, as they won a penalty, courtesy Skrtel. Skrtel, who has been criticized throughout the season for wrapping his hands around players in the box, conceded a needless penalty, after holding on to Bony. Bony placed the penalty past Mignolet to draw level with Liverpool.
Toure, Skrtel and Agger in training
The game was poised to be a thriller of sorts, as Swansea continued to press and gave Liverpool a tough time in the defence. And Daniel Agger, who has been the only strength in the wobbling Liverpool defence this season, was replaced by Kolo Touré after 63 minutes.
This, perhaps, was a signal to Swansea that they can now attack even better. Touré, who has been shaky at the back all season, showed similar signs yet again. He looks rather more interested in urgently passing the ball away. This opened the game at the back, with Swansea trying to push harder with Jonathan De Guzmán’s shot going inches wide. But Liverpool soon went back into the lead.
Luis Suárez received yet another perfect long ball from Steven Gerrard, but his rather weak shot was saved by Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm. However, the ball rebounded into the feet of an unmarked run from Henderson, whose initial shot was again saved by the Dutch goalkeeper, but the rolling ball was put back into the net by Henderson. It was his second goal of the game and only his third goal in the league this season. But he was rewarded for his efforts in the game.
The final part of the game saw a powerful Steven Gerrard shot hit the post in front of the Kop, with no Liverpool player present to receive the rebound. This was preceded by a woeful defensive lapse presided over by Glen Johnson and Kolo Touré, as both were unable to take a decision and gave away the ball loosely. The game finished 4-3, but still there are major concerns for the Liverpool team now.
The previous game at Fulham too was filled with defensive insolidity. Defensive lapses this season have cost Liverpool dear. Liverpool have now conceded the most goals in the Premier League this season due to defensive mistakes. Although Agger has been rock-solid as always, unreliable defensive line-ups like Skrtel-Sakho, and more evidently Skrtel-Touré, have been harming Liverpool’s title credentials. Although Liverpool are now top scorers in the league with 70 goals this season, they have conceded a whopping 35 goals. Only Newcastle United (38) among the top 11 sides in the league have conceded more goals than Liverpool.
Although free-scoring Liverpool have struggled with injuries at the back, Skrtel and Touré need to improve. With only 11 games left in the league this season, 5th place Tottenham’s loss at Norwich saw Liverpool open a 6 point gap over them. But with such defensive errors, and with tough home and away games to play, Liverpool need to answer a question, whether to be happy with a Champions League qualifier spot, or to chase title glory after 24 years of the Premier League title drought.
