Liverpool 1 Swansea 0
There was no lack of endeavour or effort from Swansea City but, once again, no points for Garry Monk. The under-pressure manager suffered an unfortunate but self-inflicted defeat as Neil Taylor’s handball gifted Liverpool victory at Anfield. Jürgen Klopp, by contrast, has his men in the habit of winning.
James Milner's 63rd minute penalty separated the sides and brought Liverpool a sixth win in their past seven matches. With Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge appearing as second-half substitutes Klopp's squad is getting stronger along with their league position, although this was a muted affair and subdued performance.
The game was preceded by a minute’s applause for Gerry Byrne, the former Liverpool and England defender who died on Saturday aged 77. Henderson returned having missed three months with a foot injury and Sturridge was also included two days after being told by Klopp to start playing through the pain barrier. The first half would have bored them rigid.
Neither side had a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes as Swansea’s five-man midfield sat deep and Liverpool struggled to pick a way through.
As against Crystal Palace a fortnight ago, there was a lethargy to Liverpool’s play three days after a Europa League game. The absence of the Brazilians, Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Leiva, to a hamstring injury and suspension respectively, also hindered the home side’s attempt to repeat the performance that dismantled Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.
Klopp's team started positively and came close to an early lead when Swansea central defender Kyle Bartley diverted the ball against his own post when challenging Jordon Ibe. The young winger was put clear by Adam Lallana after Milner had pressed Leon Britton into a mistake and, although Liverpool denied the visitors time on the ball throughout, they rarely got behind the Swansea defence. Christian Benteke should have done when the impressive Emre Can sent a delightful ball over Bartley's head but the Belgium international's first touch was poor, and continued to be until he was replaced by Sturridge with 19 minutes remaining.
The England international made his first appearance since Klopp arrived at Anfield with Liverpool ahead courtesy of a correct penalty decision from assistant referee Simon Beck. Not that Neil Taylor was inclined to agree. A dull contest had failed to ignite in the second half when Ibe crossed from the right wing. The ball struck Neil Taylor’s raised right arm as the left-back leapt to block and, while referee Anthony Taylor’s view was obstructed, his assistant immediately signalled for a spot-kick. Milner converted confidently, side-footing into the roof of the net after Lukasz Fabianski had dived to his right.
And that was the sum total of incident, threat or entertainment for the remainder of the game. Henderson came on to a rapturous reception and created a decent opening for Milner, who shot wide of Fabianski’s far post, and substitute Bafétimbi Gomis went close from distance for Monk’s side.
Sustained Swansea pressure spread anxiety through the Liverpool ranks late on but Simon Mignolet was rarely tested. The Liverpool keeper’s only problem was a booking for time-wasting, days after presenting Bordeaux with a goal by holding on to the ball for 22 seconds.
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