Liverpool Take Down The Swans With Second Half Comeback

When you don't have the top players in the world, and even when you do sometimes, you worry about the occasional off game.  That's what Liverpool had at the start of their match against Swansea.

Liverpool came out well enough, but credit to the Swans, they came out with a bit more energy.  Liverpool dealt with it initially, but things just seemed off.  The Reds had speed, but no control.  They had positioning, but no exit avenues when in trouble.

Then their off start, combined with Swansea's good one, caught up to them.  For whatever reason, whether under Brendan Rodgers or Jurgen Klopp, this Liverpool side just can't defend set pieces.  It was just such a play that doomed them.

Swansea earned a corner kick in the seventh minute and that was all they'd need to break the deadlock.  The ball was swung into the back post.  Nathaniel Clyne was flat footed and made no challenge for the ball, allowing it to be sent back across goal.

Dejan Lovren was tied up with his man, so he whiffed as he stuck a leg out for it.  Nobody was guarding the man who eventually scored right in front of net, as the rest of the defenders stood and watched the initial cross as though it was the coming of an angel.

After that goal, Liverpool just looked out of sorts.  They weren't playing badly, but they weren't doing much to put their own stamp on the game.  Things went from bad to worse as Adam Lallana went out with an injury.  Fortunately, the Reds had Daniel Sturridge to bring on.

The offense still did not look on the same page.  Liverpool had a dream chance in the 27th minute with Coutinho and Sturridge charging in, but the Brazilian played it through the defenders, right to the keeper instead of on an angle for his teammates.  Even worse, this came moments after almost conceding a second off another cross right in front of goal.

As the first half progressed, things looked a little brighter.  Still, when your best chance was Sadio Mane's blocked shot late in the half, things did not occur how you would expect.

The second half opened much brighter.  The Reds were much more on the front foot, even though it opened up a hole or two at the back.  Eventually, it paid off.

In the 54th minute, Liverpool earned a dangerous free kick.  Coutinho slammed it into the wall, but Jordan Henderson lofted it back across.  Swansea's defenders pulled a Liverpool and watched it sail over their heads right onto the forehead of Firmino, who barely touched it, but just enough to sneak it in and make it 1-1.

The Reds really came to life following that.  Minutes later, Coutinho almost bent one in, just curling about a foot wide of the post.

The game seemed destined to end in a draw and perhaps that would have been fair to both clubs.  Liverpool had won the second half, but could not create that magic chance to put a goal in through the run of play.  Swansea had pressed and won the first half.

Liverpool took advantage of a mistake in the 83rd minute.  A failure to properly clear the ball led to Firmino getting position in the box.  Swansea's defender somewhat fell on him and the Reds were given a penalty.

James Milner finished off the kick and the game.  It wasn't a comfortable end though.  Swansea should have equalized as Van der Hoorn was right on the doorstep and failed to get a solid touch.

In the end, the final whistle went with Liverpool up by the score of 2-1.  It might not have been fair to Swansea, but fair is not how these games always turn out.

For the time being, Liverpool moved up to second in the table.  That may change over the course of other results, but it feels pretty good to be in that spot, even if only briefly.

Random Thoughts:
- What is it about Liverpool keepers and crosses?  Karius looked as clueless as Mignolet when he came out and swing a mighty fist at a ball only to come up with nothing.

- Though I'm not the biggest Adam Lallana fan, it was disappointing to see him leave with an injury.  He has been playing well and creating danger with his pace on the wings.

- Also disappointing to hear the Swansea manager, Francesco Guidolin is likely going to be fired.  It does not affect us as Liverpool fans, but he seemed to have the players charging around with purpose and belief and they were a bit hard done by the result.

- Lots of credit to Klopp for this result.  So many managers, good and bad, can't get their teams to turn thing around during the break.  Klopp managed to make adjustments and say the right things because Liverpool were a totally different team in the second half.

Walk On