Liverpool v Swansea City: Live matchday blog
Liverpool got back to winning ways with a resounding 5-0 victory over Swansea City at Anfield on Boxing Day. Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino (two), Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain got the goals.
'It’s a perfect result for us, nobody got injured as far as I know, very important three points, five goals, clean sheet, all good.'
Click here to read a transcript from the boss' post-match press conference
Henderson and Moreno latest
Jürgen Klopp offered an update on the fitness of Jordan Henderson and Alberto Moreno following tonight's game.
You can read what he had to say by clicking here.
Klopp: "Both [Henderson and Moreno] are out of the next two games."
Klopp: "I always appreciate Roberto's effort, his performance, but all the boys can score when we play in this way.
"Roberto was everywhere and in the end he scored two goals so that's very nice."
Klopp: "Swansea are a real football-playing side so our main tool today should have been counter-pressing but our timing or formation wasn't good [in the first half].
"It wasn't an easy game and I'm really happy about the things we learned tonight. It's a perfect result and nobody is injured as far as I know."
Peruse the Opta data from that comprehensive victory below...
Full Time
And there's the final whistle - the Reds are back to winning ways, and in some style too!
It was never really in doubt from the moment Coutinho curled home a sensational opening goal in the sixth minute, but Anfield had to be patient for the second.
When Firmino volleyed that in seven minutes into the second period, the floodgates opened.
A first senior home goal for Alexander-Arnold - a rifled shot that kissed the underside of the Kop-end bar before nestling in - followed, before Firmino made it four from close range just two minutes later.
Oxlade-Chamberlain rounded off the rout with his first Anfield goal for the Reds late on, with Jürgen Klopp's side going back above Tottenham into fourth spot.
Leicester are next up for Liverpool, with the Foxes visiting Anfield on Saturday.
Close! A brilliant volley from Solanke whistles narrowly wide.
A first Anfield goal for Oxlade-Chamberlain, as he reacts quickest to Alexander-Arnold's blocked cross and sends a clever, measured finish with the outside of his right foot into the far top corner from around 12 yards out.
Goal
OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN!!!
Substitution
And now Robertson leaves to a great round of applause too, with Milner replacing him.
Substitution
A double sub from Klopp with Lallana and Solanke replacing Salah and Firmino, who both leave the field to rapturous applause.
Two goals in the space of two minutes for the Reds there, with Alexander-Arnold and Firmino netting!
First, Trent scores his first senior Anfield goal for his boyhood club in dream-like style by lashing a shot in off the underside of the Kop-end bar, before Firmino finishes with ease after being unselfishly set up by Salah.
Goal
FIRMINO!!!
Goal
ALEXANDER-ARNOLD!!!
Salah wants in on the scoring act!
A clever pulled-back free-kick from Coutinho finds the unmarked No.11, who scuffs his shot wide and falls backwards to the turf in despair!
And there's the second - finally!
Coutinho picks himself up after being fouled by Fer, whips over an excellent free-kick and Firmino volleys in at the far post.
Get in!
Goal
FIRMINO!!!
Now Firmino feeds Salah, who cuts onto his left foot but sees his shot saved by Fabianski.
That's a wonderful delivery from Alexander-Arnold, and Firmino is so close to getting his head on it.
Positive start to the second half from Liverpool.
Kick-Off
Firmino gets us back under way.
No changes at the break for the Reds, who are attacking the Kop in this second half.
Take a look at the Opta data from that first half below...
Half Time
And there's the half-time whistle.
Liverpool have dominated for the most part here, and deservedly lead through Coutinho's fantastic early opener, but our advantage should really be more handsome.
Firmino misses a great chance to make it two!
Salah intercepts a pass and plays it to the No.9, who dips inside a defender onto his right but sends his shot wide.
Two minutes added on...
Emre is back on the pitch after receiving treatment.
Mo Salah appeals for a penalty but the referee correctly denies him.
Meanwhile, Emre Can is down with what appears to be a calf problem.
Liverpool have gone a bit flat in the last five minutes or so and Swansea appear to be growing in confidence.
An excellent block from Klavan has just denied McBurnie a clear shot on goal after a fortunate ricochet for the visiting striker.
A quick Liverpool counter ends with Firmino flashing an effort wide of Fabianski's post.
Now Oxlade-Chamberlain drills one over from range.
Liverpool in complete control here, but a second goal would be welcome!
Emre Can ventures forward as Firmino lays the ball into his path after intercepting a loose Swansea pass, but Fabianski is equal to the midfielder's shot.
Coutinho clips a pass over the top for Salah, but the No.11 just fails to make contact with a glancing header.
Special...
Robertson goes close to a second!
The ball falls to the left-back outside the area and his left-footed shot drifts just off target.
Liverpool well and truly on top here.
Simply stunning from Coutinho!
The skipper receives Firmino's pass 20 yards from goal after Liverpool had won the ball back high up the pitch, takes one touch to get it out of his feet and curls an unstoppable right-footed strike into Fabianski's top corner.
Brilliant!
Goal
COUTINHO!!!
And we're off!
Swansea get us under way. The Reds are attacking the Anfield Road end in this first half.
The teams are out and 'You'll Never Walk Alone' rings around Anfield...
A reminder of the line-ups...
A reminder of this evening's teams...
Klopp on selection
Four changes for Liverpool today - but why?
Behind closed doors
A peek inside the Reds' dressing room...
The Reds arrive...
The Reds...
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
Four changes for the Reds this evening, with Joel Matip among them as the centre-back returns from an adductor issue that has kept him out for nearly a month.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gini Wijnaldum and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also start, while Philippe Coutinho captains the side.
Team in full: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Klavan, Robertson, Can, Wijnaldum, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coutinho, Salah, Firmino.
Subs: Karius, Lovren, Gomez, Milner, Lallana, Mane, Solanke.
The stage is set...
What are the odds?
Here's how BetVictor see the odds ahead of kick off today...
Liverpool: 1/6
Draw: 15/2
Swansea City: 19/1
Praise for the teams behind the team
We recently highlighted the work Melwood's Carol and Caroline do in our Behind the Badge feature on the website - and the duo proved as popular with supporters as they are with everyone who encounters them at the club's training complex.
The pair are just one of a number of club staff who have - and will continue to - work throughout the festive period to ensure the Reds are as well prepared as possible for their fixtures.
And that commitment has been highlighted by Jordan Henderson in some really thoughful programme notes today.
“The reason it hits home at this time of year is because these guys make similar sacrifices to us as players but without the same benefits we are lucky to have. When we’re in, they’re in – simple as that. They work all through Christmas and New Year and never once do you hear any complaining. They all are so proud to work for Liverpool and the club is very lucky to have them."
Weather
~+~+~+ WEATHER UPDATE ~+~+~+
It might be the festive season, but we take our weather updates seriously here at Liverpoolfc.com. Honestly.
It's likely to be a little chilly at Anfield today, with temperatures hovering around the four or five degree mark. There's also a chance of some light rain come kick off.
Wrap up warm and wear your big coat is our advice.
Cover star
James Milner graces the front of today's official matchday programme. Pick up your copy at the ground today, or subscribe online by clicking here.
Statistically speaking...
As always, club statto Ged Rea has furnished us with something of a selection box of facts and figures ahead of tonight's game.
Some of the highlights include...
- Philippe Coutinho and Simon Mignolet are in line for their 200th Liverpool appearances.
- Should Mohamed Salah score three times in the remaining two games of 2017 he will set a new club record for most goals in a season before New Year. He has scored 21 currently, two behind Roger Hunt's tally of 23 set in 1961-62.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 10 Boxing Day home games since losing 1-0 to Manchester United in 1986.
Want more stats? Of course you do. Click here.
Important travel info
Liverpool FC and Merseytravel have worked together with local travel operators to ensure that extended travel services are available to help supporters get home from the game against Swansea City on Tuesday December 26.
Robbo eying Christmas haul
We sat down with Andy Robertson at Melwood ahead of today's game and the Scot explained to use why a good haul of points during this hectic festive period can make such a massive difference in the Premier League standings.
“You have got four games in the space of near-enough a week. If you pick up maximum points or 10 points, at any position in the table it can lift you massively."
Klopp predicting even more progress
Jürgen has used his programme notes today to praise the development of Liverpool in 2017... and he's confident there'll be even more progress made in 2018.
“We must take the information and learning from the last year and use it to our advantage for what is to come. I have confidence with the amazing players and staff we have, allied with the support we get each and every matchday, that the next year will be even better."
Boxing Day crackers...
We've scored some fairly decent goals on this day over the years - and you can relive 10 of our favourites in our free video below now.
Does anyone else save some crackers to pull on Boxing Day, by the way?
Good morning...
...and welcome to our live matchday blog for Liverpool's Boxing Day clash with Swansea CIty at Anfield.
We hope you had a great Christmas Day with friends and family. Did you get anything nice? We imagine there'll be loads of new jumpers getting a first run out at the ground today.
But anyway, while you're scoffing down your pre-match meal of turkey sandwiches, stay with us throughout the day for the best build-up to the Reds' encounter with the Swans.