Stubborn Swansea shock Liverpool

Swansea moved off the bottom of the Premier League table with a shock 3-2 win against an under-par Liverpool at Anfield.

The win for Swansea is their first ever at Anfield, and signals what may be a turn-around in their bid for survival, while the defeat sees Liverpool’s title chances take a massive blow, with the Reds next three home games against, Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal respectively.

Fernando Llorente opened the scoring for Paul Clement’s side just after the break when the Frenchman scrambled home from close-range, after catching Liverpool from a set-piece.

The travelling fans, and Llorente were in dreamland five minutes later, after the 31-year-old produced a wonderful powerful header from a precise Tom Carroll cross to fire past the helpless Simon Mignloet.

Swansea’s lead was reduced three minutes later after Roberto Firmino outjumped Martin Olsson at the back-post, before the 24-year-old finished with a half-volley to square up the tie in the 69^th minute.

Just as it looked like the hosts were getting on top, and they would complete the usual comeback the KOP have seen time and time again, Gylfi Sigurðsson tore up the script and dispatched his effort to hand his side a huge three points.

Swansea now move out of the relegation zone, at least until the later kick-offs, while Liverpool remain third, knowing a Chelsea win on Sunday will see them 10 points behind Antonio Conte’s side.

The away side were content to sit men behind the ball early on and let Liverpool dominate possession and this nearly cost them in the 14^th minute when Jordan Henderson found Emre Can with a wonderful ball, but the 23-year-old poorly headed wide.

Swansea continued to push their luck, and were nearly undone by a spectacular Roberto Firminho acrobatic attempt after the Brazilian did well to latch on to the impressive Adam Lallana’s through ball.

Despite the Reds dominating the majority of the first-half, Swansea should have taken the lead in the 20^th minute after new signing Carroll’s shot deflected off Dejan Lovren before hitting the post and trickling out for a corner.

Liverpool caused Manchester United problems from set-pieces in last week’s goalless draw, this time, the Merseysiders were on the receiving end, when Gylfi Sigurðsson’s headed attempt from an Alfie Mawson flick-on went narrowly past the post.

Despite late pressure from Liverpool, an equalising goal never materialised, now the Reds will turn their attention the EFL Cup where they aim to turn-around a one-goal deficit against Southampton at Anfield.

Swansea look like a team up for the dog-fight that is the relegation scrap, and with Clement seemingly having his team playing with confidence, the Welsh outfit will look to build on their win when they face Southampton on the 31^st of January.

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