Liverpool v Swansea, match preview

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By @paul__baker

Liverpool v Swansea
Capital One Cup, Fourth Round
Kick off: 20:00

Liverpool will play their third home game in the space of six days with tomorrow’s visit of Swansea City in the Capital One Cup. If you’re still looking for an opportunity to see the Reds live in action, check out the Liverpool tickets available here.

After a record breaking penalty shoot out in the last round against Middlesbrough, the Reds supporters will be hoping the players can complete the job in 90 minutes and see the side safety into the next round.

Brendan Rogers old Club will come to Anfield full of confidence. They are sitting proudly in 6th place in the Premier League. Swans Boss Gary Monk will put out a strong side, as he looks to secure passage into the quarter finals.

As in the last couple of Cup games, Tremmel with come onto the side, replacing Lukasz in goal. Monk however, may chose to rest Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Routledge and save them for the League campaign.

The goal threat from the Swans will come in the form of Wilfried Bony. He was lively against Leicester at the weekend and with four goals in the last three games, the Reds defence will need to ensure they keep a close eye on him.

For Liverpool, Rogers will use this game to make several changes. Rickie Lambert is all set to lead the attack. Markovic, Suso and Toure will also come into starting 11. It would not be a huge surprise to see Sterling rested. He has been carrying a heavy burden over the last few weeks. The risk of burnout is very real for somebody so young!

After failing to score against Hull last Saturday, Rogers will be looking for a response. When Liverpool counter attack, the options for goals are clearly there, the players just need to show some composure in front of goal. Some of the lads may be lacking some confidence with the results being as they have been.

Another clean sheet from the maligned defence will be high up on Rogers wish list. The defence will have taken heart from their performance on Saturday, but Swansea will be a real test for them!

Both Sturridge and Jon Flanagan are still some way from being ready to take any part. French defender Sakho is roughly a week away from being ready for action.

Head-to-head facts

Liverpool have not beaten a Premier League side in the League Cup since the victory against Reading, back in 2006 (4-3 Source: BBC Sport) Swansea have only managed to win on two of their visits to Anfield in all competitions. Their last win was in 2012. The year they went onto win the Cup! Lets all hope history does not repeat itself!

While most Clubs don’t class the League Cup as a very important competition, it’s a Cup that Liverpool have done very well in over the years and it may be the best chance of securing a piece of Silverware this season.

A trophy and a top four finish will count as another decent season. Of course the Club need to add quality to the squad, but that will take time. As long as the side move forward, the glory days will one day soon (hopefully) return to Anfield!

YNWA