Liverpool vs Swansea: Preview & Likely Line Ups

By Zak Forster /

Venue: Anfield Kick Off Time: Sunday 17th February 2013 Referee: Howard Webb

Team News

Brendan Rodgers will have a near full strength squad to pick from when his old friends visit his new home this weekend. Both Sturridge and Coutinho are widely expected to return to at least the bench after being cup tied for the recent trip to Russia in the Europa League after playing for Chelsea and Inter Milan in Europe already this season, respectively. This squad boost will indeed be a welcome one for BR after seeing his team fall back into last season's nightmare where nobody in a red shirt can be seen anywhere near the opposition's six yard box - the loss of Sturridge for the West Brom and Zenit matches made it all too obvious that Liverpool still lack major fire power. The only missing players from the squad through injury are young John Flanagan (knee) and Martin Kelly (ACL rupture). With a 99% fit squad to choose from, the decisions rest with BR as to whom he believers can shake LFC back into some kind of form. After another weak showing against Zenit St Petersburg in midweek, it is unlikely former Swan Joe Allen will get the nod for a Premier League start against his former employers - unless BR is planning on utilising Lucas in the return leg of the Europa League round of 32 tie and wishes to rest him for that crunch game. Rodgers may also decide to hand Coutinho his full Liverpool debut, especially prudent considering the flashy Brazilian won't be available for the Thursday night clash with Zenit. With one eye potentially on next weekend's big Wembley showdown with lowly Bradford City, you could perhaps forgive Swansea manager Michael Laudrup for resting a few of his big names. The likes of Michu, Williams and Britton have worked tirelessly for Swansea in a bright season and may need freshening up for what will be a challenging match on the beautiful Wembley pitch. Swansea do have some injury problems of their own in the form of Chico Flores (ankle), Situ (Achilles) and Neil Taylor (broken leg) with Leon Britton a potential doubt with an ankle problem of his own - thought not as serious as the long term absentees Taylor and Flores.

Match Preview

Liverpool will still be licking their wounds when high flying Swansea City swoop into town for this mouth watering tie at L4, with the game following a poor run of no wins in five for the Anfield outfit (in all competitions). After much improved and truly excellent performances against Arsenal and Manchester City, Liverpool have gone and done the classic "one step forward, two steps back" routine. Seemingly on the up and ready for a late, yet outside chance, assault on the coveted fourth Champions League spot, Liverpool ensured any fan optimism was immediately quashed as first West Brom and then Zenit left Liverpool's season in tatters. The same cannot be said of Swansea City who are continuing the fine work done under Brendan Rodgers with Michael Laudrup. The underdogs from Wales are readying for an attempt at bring their first piece of major English silverware to the Liberty Stadium, having not won so much as an FA Cup before hand - although they do boast a rather impressive ten Welsh Cups in their trophy cabinet. Swansea can actually be considered the form team going into this one. They currently sit two spots higher than Liverpool in the league with one more point to their names and slightly better results of late with a last five record of: 2W, 2D, 1L compared to Liverpool's 1W, 2D, 2L.

Likely Line-Ups

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson; Downing, Coutinho; Suarez Swansea: Vorm; Rangel, Williams, Bartley, Davies; De Guzman, Ki, Britton; Hernández, Routledge; Michu

Prediction

With Swansea in confident mood and proving very competitive in the Premier League I predict more misery for Liverpool at Anfield with a 1-0 away win. Team News Source:The Telegraph.

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