Liverpool Slip By Swansea, Sturridge and Henderson Net Two

 4-3 

Swansea City came into Anfield for a Premier League match with Liverpool today as the Reds looked to keep pace with the rest of the top clubs in the table.  Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City won matches yesterday putting the pressure on Liverpool to produce a positive result.

Liverpool came storming out of the gate and scored in the opening moments of the match.  Raheem Sterling was able to tackle the ball off Swansea rightback Angel Rangel to initiate a counter-attack.  Sterling saw the run of Sturridge and played a well weighted ball to beat the offsides trap.  Sturridge had to take a touch around the keeper coming off his line before finishing on an empty net for the opening goal of the game (3').

Liverpool extended the lead when Sturridge setup Jordan Henderson for a goal.  Sturridge came in across the egde of the box from the right and played a square-ball for Henderson who picked out the far corner for a second goal (20').

Swansea made a timely response and equalized in a matter of minutes.  From an almost mirrored image of the previous goal, Nathan Dyer drove across the egde of the box from the right and played a square-ball to Jonjo Shelvey.  Taking the shot first-time, Shelvey buried the ball into the near-post corner to get Swansea back in match (23').

The equalizer then came following a favorable deflection inside the Liverpool penalty area.  A Swansea free-kick was played into the box and Wilfred Bony managed to get a flicked header on the cross.  The forward's header did not have much power behind it, but it deflected off the shoulder of Skrtel giving the keeper no chance at a save (27').

Liverpool then reestablished the lead with a second goal by Sturridge.  Luis Suarez found space to work on the left and put the ball right on Sturridge in front of goal.  Sturridge scored with a header finish to put Liverpool back ahead (36').

Shortly after the half-time break Liverpool defender Skrtel gave Swansea a chance to again level the score when he was called for a foul in the box.  Bony was pulled down by Skrtel according to the referee and Swansea were awarded a penalty.  Bony scored from the spot and the match was level once more (48').

Liverpool's defense was rather on edge for the remainder of the match after seeing their lead lost twice already.  Despite some nervous moments however, the defense held strong and the Reds produced a winning goal.  Suarez created space to shoot following a great chest-trap, but defender Williams was in place to block his shot.  The blocked shot fell right for Henderson though, who he scored the game winner from the loose ball (74').

Liverpool have proven once again that their offense is nearly unstoppable.  The defense, on the other hand, shows more signs of vulnerability as the goals continue to be conceded.  All focus in on the Premier League for Liverpool going forward with a road trip to Southampton is next.  Swansea are still alive in the Europa Cup and a match at Napoli midweek.

Swansea's Shelvey Stands Out Against Liverpool

2-2

Former Liverpool player Jonjo Shelvey moved to the Welsh club Swansea City in the offseason and faced his old club today with the Reds coming to town.  Shelvey was a central figure throughout the first-half, initially giving his team a very early lead.  He first missed a half-volley shot, but the ball stayed at his feet and he was able to drive inside the box.  Then his next shot was blocked by Liverpool defender Skrtel, but again the ball stayed at his feet for a third crack at goal that did get past the keeper (2').

Immediately after the goal, Shelvey was responsible for giving away the lead when a poor back-pass to his keeper was intercepted by Sturridge.  The back-pass set up Sturridge in a perfect spot to take a quick first-touch shot for the equalizer (4').  Later in the first-half Shelvey was again responsible for a bad pass that resulted in another goal for Liverpool.  This time the pass was intercepted by Victor Moses (making his first start with the club) who streaked up the field and scored to put the Reds in front (36').  

Shelvey was able to redeem his two previous bad passes with one very good pass later in the second-half.  Shelvey put his teammate Michu in on goal with a well place glancing header.  Michu had a number of shots blocked and saved over the course of the match, but this one beat the Liverpool keeper for the final goal (64').  

Moses and defender Sakho both made their first starts today for Liverpool and both were quite good.  Liverpool have been forced to deal with several injuries to their defensive players and Coutinho may also be sidelined for a while, exiting today's match with an apparent shoulder injury.