Liverpool travel to Swansea City tomorrow, looking to keep pace with the top four…
Brendan Rodgers returns to former club Swansea City tomorrow night, looking to continue the Reds’ encouraging recent record against the Welsh giants.
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Liverpool won the reverse fixture 4-1 against the Swans earlier this season, while we also beat them 2-1 in the Capital One Cup – when Mario Balotelli and Dejan Lovren scored the decisive goals.
However, they still carry plenty of threat, and Rodgers will want his side to avoid any complacency as we chase another crucial three points to aid our top four chances.
Here are the five crucial battles that will decide the game:
5) Martin Skrtel vs Bafetimbi Gomis
Ironically, both of these players will be returning from worrying incidents that saw them carried off the field. Skrtel was left unconscious after clashing with Rudy Gestede against Blackburn last weekend, while Gomis fainted during the league defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. However, both are expected to return for this one, and the Slovakian will have to be at his best to ensure the striker doesn’t add to his tally of four Swansea goals.
4) Jordan Henderson vs Jonjo Shelvey
Very few Liverpool fans will need an introduction to the threat that Shelvey offers. The former Liverpool midfielder has made a habit of scoring against the Reds, and will be looking to do so again at the Liberty Stadium. The responsibility for keeping him under wraps is likely to fall to Henderson, who has been in excellent form in recent weeks – scoring wonderful goals against both Man City and Burnley. Is there another one for him here?
3) Daniel Sturridge vs Ashley Williams
Ashley Williams is widely considered to be one of the best defenders outside of the Premier League’s elite sides, and he’ll be the man tasked with stopping Daniel Sturridge from getting his name on the scoresheet. The Swans captain rarely misses a game, and will be making his 278th appearance for the club against Liverpool. Sturridge will be hoping that he’ll be able to stretch the Welsh international, and use his pace to his advantage.
2) Alberto Moreno vs Gylfi Sigurdsson
Sigurdsson has arguably been Swansea’s star player so far this season. The Icelandic star, who was once a transfer target for Liverpool prior to his move to Tottenham Hotspur, and has only continued to improve since his return to Wales. The midfielder has scored five goals in all competitions so far this season, and will likely provide a stern test to Alberto Moreno’s defensive qualities. The Spaniard loves to get forward, but may have to re-adjust here.
1) Raheem Sterling vs Neil Taylor
Sterling will be looking to put any talk of contract negotiations to one side as he concentrates on firing Liverpool further up the Premier League table. Assuming that he continues in a wing-back role, as he has been doing in recent games to accommodate Adam Lallana, he will be up against Swansea full-back Neil Taylor. The 26-year-old Welshman has had a decent season, after replacing the now Spurs star Ben Davies at the start of the campaign, but will no doubt have his hands full with our golden boy.
