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Liverpool welcome Swansea to Anfield on Sunday as they look to tighten their grip on fourth place and the final Champions League spot.
Brendan Rodgers’ side will be hurting after their controversial FA Cup exit at the hands of Arsenal last weekend, but with just the league to focus, they could now have the edge in the race for fourth.
Meanwhile, Garry Monk will be looking to continue his unbeaten start to life as a Premier League manager. A run of one win in 10 games was enough to see Michael Laudrup given the boot at the Liberty Stadium before the Swans defender was appointed as his replacement.
The Reds are unbeaten in their last seven league games and sit just four points behind league leaders Chelsea. Here are three Liverpool players who could hurt Swansea during their visit to Anfield.
Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge has been in red-hot form in front of goal since his comeback from injury last month. The England striker made a goalscoring return to first-team action against Stoke at the Britannia and has scored in every match since – a run of seven goals in six games.
The 24-year-old has often been overshadowed by his strike partner Luis Suarez throughout this season, but he is arguably just as vital to the Reds hopes of gaining that coveted Champions League place.
The ‘SAS’ partnership of Strurridge and Suarez is the most deadly strike partnership in the Premier League, arguably in Europe – the pair have 39 goals between them this season. Sturridge has 16 goals in 19 appearances himself and has failed to score in just three league games. His 57 attempts on goal shows that he isn’t afraid to pull the trigger should an opportunity present itself.
With his average of more than a goal a game since his return from injury, the England international is currently the most threatening Liverpool player in front of goal. Swansea have a big job on their hands to stop him from adding to his rapidly growing goal tally on Sunday.
Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez has been in sensational form this season and is one of the reasons why Liverpool are just four points off the top of the table. At times he has been unplayable and despite being in the middle of his longest barren spell in front of goal, he is still comfortably the Premier League’s top goal scorer with 23 goals in 21 appearances.
The Uruguayan is the focal point of the Liverpool attacking line – playing through the middle with Sturridge and Raheem Sterling deployed in the wider positions of a front three. Although he is used as the central striker, Rodgers has given him the freedom to roam the attacking third of the pitch, making him even more elusive to the opposition defenders.
The 27-year-old has also demonstrated that there is more to his game than just scoring goals this season. He has created more chances than any other Liverpool player with 53 key passes and eight assists to his name, including three in his last four outings.
If he isn’t scoring goals he’s creating them and the Anfield faithful will no doubt appreciate the hard work he does for the team. But after a run of three league games without a goal Suarez will be eager to add to his own tally. His ability to single-handedly win matches is still there and Swansea cannot afford to underestimate his capabilities.
Steven Gerrard
The resurgence of Steven Gerrard is another reason for why Liverpool can still consider themselves an outside bet for the title. Questions were raised over whether or not the 33-year-old could adapt his game to suit the style of football Rodgers wanted to play. But the England captain appears to gave answered those questions and has played an instrumental part in his sides push for a top four finish.
Gerrard has been utilised in a number of positions this season, from a deep-lying playmaker role, to in behind the striker, to out on the left. More recently he has been deployed in the holding position as part of a midfield three containing Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho.
Whatever his position, his ability to see a pass has remained, as he demonstrated with a sublime assist for Sturridge in Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Fulham last time out.
Gerrard has long been the ‘go-to’ man for Liverpool when the side are in difficulty and has often had to lead by example. His stoppage-time spot kick to earn the win at Craven Cottage is an example of his leadership qualities and it’s that quality that Swansea will have to be weary of on Sunday.
