Liverpool’s quest for the Premier League title took a massive blow as they were defeated 3-2 by Swansea City at Anfield. There were high expectations of a big win for the Reds, especially with Philippe Coutinho starting his first Premier League game since the November clash against Sunderland but it was the away team that took the plaudits.
Two goals from Fernando Llorente were cancelled out by Roberto Firmino in the second half and it seemed the Merseyside club were going to pull off an unlikely win from being 2-0 down. But it was Swansea that hit Liverpool in the second half once more, as Gylfi Sigurdsson scored the winner.
Also read: EPL 2016/17 - Liverpool 2-3 Swansea City - Player Ratings
It was an unexpected result for the Reds but a stepping stone for Swansea as they won their first ever league game at Anfield and will now look to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
We look back at the enthralling game and share the five talking points:
#1 Philippe Coutinho fails to sparkle for the Reds
With Sadio Mane gone for the Africa Cup of Nations, the attacking ability of Liverpool has been greatly reduced. The return of Coutinho was supposed to solve that as the Brazilian started his first Premier League game in almost three months.
Coutinho had scored five goals and provided five assists in the Premier League but looked off-colour against Swansea. The Brazilian did start in the FA Cup replay against Plymouth but he still looks short of fitness and sharpness on the field.
Liverpool need him to fire if they are to continue their fading chances of a Premier League title.
#2 Swansea exploit soft Liverpool back four
The first half was a poor showing for both sides but the game livened up in the second half with five goals. The Reds might have thought they were the ones who would score but Swansea took on their poor defence and peppered them with crosses.
Fernando Llorente was incredible for the Swans and his second goal was a peach of a header after a fine cross from Tom Carroll. Liverpool were at sixes and sevens every time a ball was played into the box and it was another mistake from Ragnar Klavan which gave Sigurdsson the opportunity to score the winner.
The defence has been a problem for the Merseyside club since the start of the season and credit must be given to Paul Clement for targeting the centre-back pairing of the Reds.
Joel Matip made a cameo appearance for Liverpool late in the game and hopefully, he can stop the goals conceded by the Reds, which stands at 27 from just 22 games.
#3 Only one win for Liverpool in 2017
The first half of the season was spectacular for the Reds and it was expected that they were going to kick on and challenge Chelsea for the title. What we have seen in 2017 is a completely different Liverpool, with no attacking swagger at all.
The Reds look jaded, their midfield lacks creativity and their forwards just aren’t clicking. The absence of Sadio Mane has been a big blow but Jurgen Klopp should have planned for his departure. Coutinho isn’t up to speed yet and Daniel Sturridge still can’t seem to understand how to play in a Klopp team.
Liverpool’s only win in 2017 has been the 1-0 win over Plymouth in the FA Cup and that too wasn’t the greatest showing by the Merseyside club. Slowing down in the second half of the season is a problem for Klopp teams due to their high pressing and this could be playing out for Liverpool too.
#4 Swansea’s survival hopes get a shot in the arm
There certainly was no one, not even the staunchest Swansea fan, who would have expected all three points at Anfield, where Liverpool had not lost in the league for almost a year.
The Swans were incredible in the game and fully deserved the win as they not only nullified the Liverpool attack but also created a number of chances. The poor showing under Bob Bradley might still come back to haunt the Swans but this win will give the Welsh side a lot of confidence in their quest to stave off relegation.
Swansea were bottom of the league coming into the game but this win pushed them up to 18 points from 22 games, above the likes of Crystal Palace, Hull City and Sunderland, who are still to play.
Should Clement’s side keep performing in a similar manner, survival will be guaranteed for another season at least.
#5 Top four finish in doubt for Liverpool
From being title contenders to not finishing in the top four, the season could be unravelling fast for the Reds. Tottenham, Arsenal and even Manchester United seem to have hit form and they would be looking to overtake the Reds by the time the season ends.
Klopp’s team might slip down to fourth at the end of the game week and even be tied with Manchester City on the same points.
The German manager had asked for the Anfield faithful and all Liverpool fans to get behind the side as they looked to push for a first-ever Premier League title but on this showing, they might not even make it to the top four.
