Reds Win Thiiller Over Swans

After the FA Cup exit to Arsenal, Liverpool's sole chance of silverware became the league title and a classic sign of 'champions' is being able to grind out results which was clear in the visit of Swansea on Sunday.

Liverpool made three changes with Henderson and Johnson replacing Allen and Cissokho while Mignolet returned back between the posts, Swansea had barely settled into the game as Liverpool took the lead as Sterling gained possession and picked out Sturridge who rounded Vorm and slipped the ball into the empty net to the joy of the Anfield crowd.

Sterling had a a chance to make it two as he tested Vorm but the Swansea stopper denied him, this prompted Swansea to respond and Bony was inches from levelling after a pass from former Liverpool man Shelvey who found him from the right side.

The deficit was soon cut to one as Shelvey netted against his former side just like in the reverse meeting as he powered a shot that clipped the woodwork and went in past Mignolet and his refusal to celebrate against his former team-mates drew praise from the home fans.

 

But praise turned to groans as within minutes Swansea were level as Bony connected to a well worked free-kick to divert the ball against Skrtel and past Mignolet it went for a 2-2 score. 

If four goals described a crazy first 45 minutes then five made it more exciting as Liverpool made it 3-2 with nine minutes left before half time, Suarez had been fairly quiet so far but swept in a superb pass that found the head of Sturridge who headed past Vorm to continue his rich scoring run and treated the home fans to another classic celebration.

 Akin to the first half, the opening minutes of the second period saw a goal but this time it was a third for Swansea as Skrtel was penalised for a foul on Bony and the referee pointed to the spot, Bony stepped up and slotted past the Belgian to make it 3-3.


Swansea looked to have gone in front in the views of some fans as De Guzman hit a strong effort from 20 yards that swung wide and he had another good chance as he latched on to a clever backheel from Bony but failed to truly test Mignolet.

Liverpool responded as Sturridge connected to a through pass by Allen but was denied by a well times block from Williams. Suarez hit wide as Liverpool looked to regain the lead and he attempted for a second time shortly after and it paid off as after being picked out by Gerrard, he hit for goal but the resulting block flew into the path of the advancing Henderson who powered it past Vorm at the second time of asking to settle the tie and ensure Liverpool kept in touch at the top.