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Just eight days after the high of ending Manchester City's unbeaten streak, Liverpool were brought back to earth by none other than Swansea City. The bottom-placed side beat Liverpool 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium to spring a huge surprise which will have repercussions on both sides of the table.
Alfie Mawson scored for the Swans from a corner as he latched on to a poor clearance from Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool lacked their usual verve going forward and were totally abject at times with their display. On that note, let's find out, in detail, how each player fared from Swansea's shock win over Liverpool:
Swansea City
Lukasz Fabianski: 8/10
Fabianski delivered a commanding performance between the posts. He made 5 saves and also punched the ball out of danger four times. The former Arsenal keeper was assured during set pieces but was fortunate that Firmino's stoppage-time header hit the post which would have ruined a special night for him and the hosts.
Mike van der Hoorn: 6/10
der Hoorn has now become a regular in this Swansea lineup and it is because of displays like this. His no-nonsense approach helped Swansea as he made many important clearances. But his distribution needs to improve immensely.
Alfie Mawson: 9/10
Mawson was influential in both the 18-yard boxes. He scored the all-important goal for his side in the first half and then made a stunning last-ditch tackle to stop Adam Lallana from scoring from a rebound. An outing to remember!
Federico Fernandez: 6/10
The centre-back was looking a bit out of place at the start as he took time to adjust to the pace of the game. He was calmed after Mawson's goal and then displayed a leader's role at the back - marshalling his troops, and exhibiting solidity in the air.
Kyle Naughton: 6/10
The right wing-back on the night had a first half to forget with the Liverpool forwards bypassing him with utmost ease. But he grew into the game in the next 45 minutes and made a number of important interceptions at the edge of the box. If Swansea had decided to leave their half more, Naughton could have been a useful outlet on the right.
Martin Olsson: 6/10
Olsson put in a great shift and looked extremely confident in every duel he contested. He rarely went forward but did his defensive job with aplomb. But his passing was average and he gave away possession a lot.
Leroy Fer: 7/10
Swansea needed a solid presence in midfield up against Liverpool's midfield trio and it was Fer who rose to the occasion. The Dutchman never shied away from challenges and dominated the centre of the park on the night.
Sung-Yueng Ki: 5/10
Ki rarely got the chance to show his passing range and add numbers in attack but he did what he was asked to do with relative ease. He put in a great shift and helped his side apply a successful low block.
Sam Clucas: 7/10
Just as the entire Swansea team, Clucas did a lot of work defensively and helped the Swans achieve a surprise victory. He did all the dirty work that was needed to keep Liverpool away from scoring.
Nathan Dyer: 5/10
Dyer played his part in the very few times that the Swans counterattacked, but his link-up play with Jordan Ayew was off and left a lot to be desired.
Jordan Ayew: 8/10
Ayew did almost all things right on the night. He put in a great shift, had a goal disallowed, was a nuisance to the Liverpool defenders and won a number of free kicks for his side to help relieve some pressure created by Liverpool's constant attacks.
Substitutions:
Tom Carroll: 5/10
He was decent with his positioning without the ball, but playing in an unfamiliar role on the night made him ineffective when he had possession.
Wilfried Bony: 7/10
Bony's physical presence helped Swansea win a number of throw-ins at the end which ultimately helped his side buy out time to keep the ball away from their goal.
Liverpool
Loris Karius: 6/10
The new Liverpool no.1 looked assured against Swansea. He needed a confidence boost after a below-par showing against Manchester City. He was vocal during set pieces and commanded his box pretty well. For the goal, Karius could not have done much as it was hit right into the bottom corner.
Joe Gomez: 5/10
Gomez has lately developed a knack for getting caught out of positions in crucial moments of the game. This time, he lost his man for the cross that earned a corner for Swansea from which they eventually scored. Gomez's passing was wayward, as were a couple of shots that he attempted.
Virgil van Dijk: 6/10
It was not a league debut to remember for Virgil van Dijk. He could have given Liverpool the lead in the 23rd minute, but his header went inches wide. Later, his poor clearance led Swansea to the goal, but otherwise, he was solid in defence.
The Dutchman also could have had an assist in the final minute of the game. All in all, it was an eventful Premier League debut for van Dijk!
Joel Matip: 4/10
Matip started the game well but soon lost the plot. He never looked confident in whatever he did and also made some rash tackles. His dangerous tackle on Sam Clucas rightly saw him get a booking.
Andrew Robertson: 6/10
The Scot is currently delivering impressive performances one after the other, making life even more difficult for Alberto Moreno. Robertson attacked well with his deliveries being threatening, while his defending was also decent.
Emre Can: 5/10
Can wore the captain's armband against Swansea and needed to deliver a performance worthy of that responsibility. He failed to do so and Liverpool lacked their usual dominance in midfield. Can also skied a glorious chance in added time that could've given Liverpool a much-needed equalizer.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 3/10
Wijnaldum's only contribution on the night was that he travelled with the team from Liverpool to Swansea. He was absolutely rubbish in midfield and looked completely lost. The Dutchman's horror away-game form continues and can safely be said is a big mystery.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 6/10
Chamberlain pressed well and won possession a number of times. But his play became a bit one dimensional later on and he was taken off in the 68th minute. His set-piece deliveries deserve a special mention as his three superb crosses should have seen a better end product.
Sadio Mane: 4/10
Mane lacked the finishing or the passing which made him earn rave reviews against Manchester City. Just like the entire Liverpool team, Mane was subdued and had a night to forget.
Mohamed Salah: 5/10
Salah had a rare bad day in the office. The Egyptian got in brilliant positions and had three chances to help his side change the narrative. But surprisingly, Salah looked short on confidence and could not be a threat like he has usually been this season.
Roberto Firmino: 5/10
Firmino chased for lost causes throughout the game. His touches were supreme at times but he failed to receive the desired service from his teammates. Firmino hit the post in stoppage time through a header from six yards out - one which should have seen the back of the net from a team's no.1 striker.
Substitutions:
Adam Lallana: 6/10
Lallana tried his best to bring about a change and help Liverpool carve out a defining chance to score but it wasn't meant to be. He looked sharp, but sadly, his teammates weren't.
Danny Ings: 5/10
Ings had a chance to score the equalizer just after five minutes from his arrival. He turned away brilliantly from van der Hoorn and took a shot which was safely held by Fabianski. Ings took up brilliant positions but never received the needed help from his teammates.
