Saturday, November 05, 2011

Match Preview: Liverpool vs. Swansea

Liverpool could move back into the top four of the Premier League when they host Swansea in the first league clash between the sides in almost 30 years.

Boss Kenny Dalglish, who played in the Reds' 3-0 victory over the Welshmen in April 1983, has overseen a rich vein of form for the Anfield side in recent weeks.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last five top-flight matches and could leap above Chelsea and Tottenham if the results go their way.

Dalglish believes his new-look team, which was bolstered by seven summer signings, has started to gel and a number of key partnerships are beginning to blossom.

Strike pair Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll have showed signs of forging a deadly attack, while Jose Enrique and Stewart Downing have caused problems for the opposition by linking down the left flank.

But Dalglish has warned the home crowd not to expect Liverpool to cruise past Brendan Rodgers' men.

Swansea, who was thrashed 8-0 when they last visited Anfield for a FA Cup tie in 1990, have made a solid start to Premier League life.

After failing to score in their opening four games, the Swans have found their shooting boots to win their last three home matches.

Now the 10th placed side will be hoping to take this form away from the Liberty Stadium, having earned just one point on their travels.

History will also be created if Rodgers and his players pull off a shock against Liverpool.

It would be Swansea City's first win at Anfield, with the Welshmen's previous success - a 2-1 triumph in February 1964 - coming under their former guise of Swansea Town.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will miss the clash after being ruled out for at least the next fortnight with an ankle infection.

Gerrard's absence means midfielder Jordan Henderson, who deputised in last week's win at West Brom, is likely to keep his place.

Defender Jamie Carragher's calf injury which forced him to miss the match at the Hawthorns will be assessed late on to see whether the centre-back is ready to return.

Swansea manager Rodgers is boosted by the return of Kemy Agustien.

The Dutch midfielder has been out for six weeks with a hamstring problem, and he is likely to make his return on the bench with Mark Gower, Leon Britton and Joe Allen having performed so well in his absence.

But the trip to face the Reds comes too soon for Stephen Dobbie, who is likely to return following the international break after an ankle injury.

Possible starting XIs:

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Henderson, Adam, Lucas, Downing, Suarez, Carroll.

Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Williams, Monk, Taylor, Britton, Gower, Allen, Dyer, Graham, Sinclair.

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