Liverpool lost 3-2 to Swansea at Anfield after a wild second half. Here are all the highlights from the match.
This match began much as you’d expect a match between these two sides to began, with Liverpool dominating possession and Swansea sitting deep, and waiting for opportunities on the counter-attack.
The Swans showed real, rare defensive resilience in the opening stages, restricting Liverpool to half chances, and began to grow into the game after the 20-minute mark. Tom Carroll, making his first start for the club since arriving from Tottenham, went closest in half short on clear-cut chances. His attempted cross took a deflection of Dejan Lovren to hit the post.
That was about it, however, as far as goal-mouth action went. The Reds continued to peg the visitors back, but, outside of a few flashes of quality from Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, struggled to get in behind the Swans.
Jordan Henderson was uncharacteristically sloppy in midfield, while Adam Lallana misplayed a few passes from good positions. Nathaniel Clyne, so often Liverpool’s outlet down the right wing, also struggled for any consistent delivery into the box.
The second half quickly made up for the lack of action in the first, Fernando Llorente poking in from a corner in only the 48th minute. With Liverpool reeling, Swansea doubled their lead shortly after. Llorente was the scorer again, this time with a powerful header from a Carroll cross.
Jurgen Klopp brought on Daniel Sturridge in response, and Liverpool were quickly back into the game when Firmino powered in a header in the 55th minute. The goal breathed new life into the Reds, and Firmino produced the equalizer in the 69th minute with a wonderful touch and finish.
Just as it seemed the Reds were primed to go on and win the match, however, some sloppy defending allowed Gylfi Sigurdsson space at the back post to poke past Simon Mignolet for what proved to be the winner.
Highlights
Swansea off to a great start in the second half #PLonNBC pic.twitter.com/jdnNxAayLj
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 21, 2017
Q: Will Liverpool score?
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 21, 2017
A: Firmino says YES! #PLonNBC pic.twitter.com/Jyzc3XAVrS
#ICYMI Here's the goal that gave Swans the lead #PLonNBC pic.twitter.com/CtRp8tLKTD
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 21, 2017
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The win lifts Swansea out of the relegation zone, two points ahead of Crystal Palace, who play Everton later Saturday.
Liverpool remain in third place for now, with all their main rivals yet to play. Arsenal will push them down to fourth with a win or a draw against Burnley Sunday, while Manchester City could go level on points with a win against Tottenham.