Reds’ reprieve How miss of the season cost Swans dear
Jürgen Klopp had reason to thank Roberto Firmino for the blossoming of Liverpool’s title credentials even before the autumn leaves have started to fall.
The Liverpool manager had talked before this game of how collective confidence was a delicate flower that needed care and nurturing if it was to grow.
Swansea threatened to stamp on Klopp’s green shoots for periods in this game but, by the time Firmino had equalised Leroy Fer’s opener for a gallant Swansea and then earned the penalty from which James Milner won the game, everything in Klopp’s garden was looking far more rosy.
This was a fourth straight victory for Liverpool and the German could at least take some satisfaction from his team’s powers of recovery after a sluggish start that he could not account for. “We were not ready for that first half and I take responsibility for that, but I cannot tell you why,” said Klopp.
“We were too static in our build-up. Swansea did well but we should not allowed it to be that that easy. No movement. We were never compact enough and lost a lot of balls.”
It needed some harsh words from their manager to revive Liverpool at half-time and their response was a far more urgent performance that produced an equalising goal within nine minutes of the restart.
Philippe Coutinho had his free-kick blocked but, when Jordan Henderson hoisted the ball into the Swansea pen- alty area, Firmino was left alone. The Brazilian expertly beat Lukasz Fabianski with a precise header.
That might have been all the reward Liverpool departed with had Swansea substitute Mo Barrow not put Ángel Rangel under pressure with a reckless, aimless clearance six minutes from full-time.
Rangel got the wrong side of Firmino and, although it may have been harsh judgment to have awarded the penalty for the push on the Brazilian, Klopp’s side just about deserved it for the sheer dominance of their second-half display. They will face tougher assignments than this, but their refusal to accept a bad day at the office with a shrug of the shoulders was an indicator of how things have changed at Anfield. The past inconsistencies were not allowed to reappear and they duly built on thumping win over Hull City.
The only downside for Klopp were injuries to Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren, who both suffered groin injuries. Both are expected to be out for two weeks, which denies Lallana the chance of playing in England’s forthcoming World Cup qualifers.
“We got better in the second half and when we let the ball roll it became difficult for Swansea,” added Klopp.
“The second half was better, but still not brilliant. But we deserved to win – even with that late chance for Swansea.
“I was very angry at half-time. I have lost a lot of football games, but today was making no sense. It was not a day when we should lose.
“I told the players it was not allowed for us to just accept a bad day. We have to fight against it. We have to strike back. We lost patience and were moaning about decisions. We need to stop that. We were angry with ourselves, but we got cooler. No doubt about it. It’s important that when not brilliant, you are still able to win.
“I can count brilliant games in a season on one hand, but it’s important to win regularly. I didn’t think this would be a bad day, because there was no sign in training.”
Firmino’s pace and the probing of Coutinho swayed the second half in Liverpool’s favour after Swansea had taken a deserved lead after only eight minutes.
The visitors’ defence looked pedestrian from the opening stages and it was no real surprise when they reacted slowly at a corner allowing Fer to sweep home the opening goal. It was the Dutch midfielder’s fourth of the season.
Swansea, however, ran out of steam early in the second half and, although Barrow provided some energy when he came on, it was his miscued clearance that led to Milner’s winning penalty in the 84th minute.
In the end, they paid the price for not taking further opportunities when they were ahead. Spanish striker Borja Baston was especially guilty as he twice sent tame headers wide of the target when he should have scored.
The Swans also had a late chance to earn a point, but defender Mike van der Hoorn fluffed another effort from in front of goal in added time.
The result leaves Swansea still looking for their first victory since the opening day of the season and their manager Francesco Guidolin admitted they had wasted an opportunity.
“Against a team like Liverpool, it was important to score again,” said the Italian. “It wasn’t easy but I am disappointed. It was the same situation as last week against Manchester City.
“Our first half was better than the last game, though. We deserved to lead, but we know Liverpool is a strong team.
“In the second half, the right result would have been draw. The first half was ours, the second belonged to Liverpool.
“At the end, we had a big chance, but that is football. You can play a good game, but not get a good result. But I am confident because I saw my team play for 95 minutes with character and quality.”