Simon Mignolet believes Liverpool are showing the fighting spirit necessary to qualify for the Champions League as they head into Sunday’s seismic showdown with Manchester United at Anfield.
Brendan Rodgers‘ in-form Reds survived a first-half fright at Swansea on Monday night before emerging 1-0 winners to cut the gap on fourth-placed United to two points.
Mignolet had to produce fine stops to deny Bafetimbi Gomis and Gylfi Sigurdsson in a first half Swansea dominated but Jordan Henderson‘s fortunate winner gave Liverpool their fifth successive Barclays Premier League victory.
“We showed the character and resilience during the game that you need if you’re going to be successful,” Mignolet said. “This was our sixth successive clean sheet away from home and we have to keep that going until the end of the season.
“You keep those clean sheets as a whole team. Everyone is playing together, doing their job and willing to fight for each other.”
Liverpool have not lost in the league since a 3-0 defeat at United on December 14 when the stuttering Mignolet was dropped and replaced by Brad Jones. But Mignolet soon reclaimed his place and both he and Liverpool have gone from strength to strength ever since, the Merseysiders now unbeaten in 13 league games and Rodgers insisting they can catch second-placed Manchester City who are currently four points better off than his men.
United’s visit on Sunday might go a long way to determining if that ambition is feasible but Mignolet insists Liverpool have to focus solely on themselves and not their rivals for a top-four spot.
“This win sets up the next game and that’s a big game of course,” Mignolet said. “But we don’t have to make too much of it, there’s three points there and we have to try to do our best to get the win at home.
“We’ve still got all the big teams to play but the important thing is we don’t look too forward ahead of ourselves.”
Mignolet does not resemble the goalkeeper who visibly appeared anxious and made regular mistakes during the first half of the season. As well as his precious first-half saves at the Liberty Stadium he was commanding in the air and punched well under pressure, but he puts his impressive record down to those in front of him.
“As a goalkeeper you’re depending on the rest of the team to keep those clean sheets,” he said.
“You can’t do that on your own and that’s what’s pleasing.
“Everybody’s doing their job, is organised and that makes life easy for a goalkeeper.
“We had to fight at Swansea to get through to 0-0 at half-time but the second half we got the goal and that came with putting a lot more pressure on the ball.”
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Simon Mignolet believes Liverpool are showing the fighting spirit necessary to qualify for the Champions League as they head into Sunday’s seismic showdown with Manchester United at Anfield.
Brendan Rodgers‘ in-form Reds survived a first-half fright at Swansea on Monday night before emerging 1-0 winners to cut the gap on fourth-placed United to two points.
Mignolet had to produce fine stops to deny Bafetimbi Gomis and Gylfi Sigurdsson in a first half Swansea dominated but Jordan Henderson‘s fortunate winner gave Liverpool their fifth successive Barclays Premier League victory.
“We showed the character and resilience during the game that you need if you’re going to be successful,” Mignolet said. “This was our sixth successive clean sheet away from home and we have to keep that going until the end of the season.
“You keep those clean sheets as a whole team. Everyone is playing together, doing their job and willing to fight for each other.”
Liverpool have not lost in the league since a 3-0 defeat at United on December 14 when the stuttering Mignolet was dropped and replaced by Brad Jones. But Mignolet soon reclaimed his place and both he and Liverpool have gone from strength to strength ever since, the Merseysiders now unbeaten in 13 league games and Rodgers insisting they can catch second-placed Manchester City who are currently four points better off than his men.
United’s visit on Sunday might go a long way to determining if that ambition is feasible but Mignolet insists Liverpool have to focus solely on themselves and not their rivals for a top-four spot.
“This win sets up the next game and that’s a big game of course,” Mignolet said. “But we don’t have to make too much of it, there’s three points there and we have to try to do our best to get the win at home.
“We’ve still got all the big teams to play but the important thing is we don’t look too forward ahead of ourselves.”
Mignolet does not resemble the goalkeeper who visibly appeared anxious and made regular mistakes during the first half of the season. As well as his precious first-half saves at the Liberty Stadium he was commanding in the air and punched well under pressure, but he puts his impressive record down to those in front of him.
“As a goalkeeper you’re depending on the rest of the team to keep those clean sheets,” he said.
“You can’t do that on your own and that’s what’s pleasing.
“Everybody’s doing their job, is organised and that makes life easy for a goalkeeper.
“We had to fight at Swansea to get through to 0-0 at half-time but the second half we got the goal and that came with putting a lot more pressure on the ball.”
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Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet insists the Reds must focus only on themselves and not their rivals as they bid to cement a top-four spot in the Premier League.
Brendan Rodgers’ side cut the gap on fourth-placed Manchester United to two points with their 1-0 win at Swansea on Monday – their fifth successive victory – and they host the Red Devils at Anfield on Sunday.
"This win sets up the next game and that's a big game of course," said Mignolet.
"But we don't have to make too much of it, there are three points there and we have to try to do our best to get the win at home.
"We just have to look at our own performances, there's no point in looking at the other teams, and keep doing what we've been doing in the last few months.
"We've still got all the big teams to play, but the important thing is we don't look too forward ahead of ourselves."
Mignolet’s own form was a little shaky earlier in the season but he kept a sixth consecutive clean sheet away from home with a fine display at the Liberty Stadium.
"As a goalkeeper you're depending on the rest of the team to keep those clean sheets," he said. "You can't do that on your own and that's what's pleasing.
"Everybody's doing their job, is organised and that makes life easy for a goalkeeper.
"We had to fight at Swansea to get through to 0-0 at half-time but the second half we got the goal and that came with putting a lot more pressure on the ball."
Watch Liverpool v Manchester United live on Sky Sports 1 at 1.30pm on Sunday.
Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet insists the Reds must focus only on themselves and not their rivals as they bid to cement a top-four spot in the Premier League.
Brendan Rodgers’ side cut the gap on fourth-placed Manchester United to two points with their 1-0 win at Swansea on Monday – their fifth successive victory – and they host the Red Devils at Anfield on Sunday.
"This win sets up the next game and that's a big game of course," said Mignolet.
"But we don't have to make too much of it, there are three points there and we have to try to do our best to get the win at home.
"We just have to look at our own performances, there's no point in looking at the other teams, and keep doing what we've been doing in the last few months.
"We've still got all the big teams to play, but the important thing is we don't look too forward ahead of ourselves."
Mignolet’s own form was a little shaky earlier in the season but he kept a sixth consecutive clean sheet away from home with a fine display at the Liberty Stadium.
"As a goalkeeper you're depending on the rest of the team to keep those clean sheets," he said. "You can't do that on your own and that's what's pleasing.
"Everybody's doing their job, is organised and that makes life easy for a goalkeeper.
"We had to fight at Swansea to get through to 0-0 at half-time but the second half we got the goal and that came with putting a lot more pressure on the ball."
Watch Liverpool v Manchester United live on Sky Sports 1 at 1.30pm on Sunday.
Jamie Carragher has picked the Liverpool side he’d choose to play Man United at Anfield on Sunday.
The former Reds’ defender says he wouldn’t start Steven Gerrard: “No, I wouldn’t. The team’s playing well, they’re on a great run since Steven’s been out. Unfortunately, he’ll know himself, when the team goes on a great run when you’re out it’s hard to get back in the team.
“It’s unfortunate for him. There are players here who are playing too well, you can’t leave them out.”
Carragher also picks Raheem Sterling up front rather than Daniel Sturridge, commenting how Sterling’s high intensity pressing is better right now.
Carragher’s LFC side to face United
Liverpool are two points behind their rivals going into the game, a win would put them above United and into the top four for the first time this season. Kick off on Sunday is 1.30pm GMT.
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Jamie Carragher has picked the Liverpool side he’d choose to play Man United at Anfield on Sunday.
The former Reds’ defender says he wouldn’t start Steven Gerrard: “No, I wouldn’t. The team’s playing well, they’re on a great run since Steven’s been out. Unfortunately, he’ll know himself, when the team goes on a great run when you’re out it’s hard to get back in the team.
“It’s unfortunate for him. There are players here who are playing too well, you can’t leave them out.”
Carragher also picks Raheem Sterling up front rather than Daniel Sturridge, commenting how Sterling’s high intensity pressing is better right now.
Carragher’s LFC side to face United
Liverpool are two points behind their rivals going into the game, a win would put them above United and into the top four for the first time this season. Kick off on Sunday is 1.30pm GMT.
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Following Liverpool’s important 1-0 victory against Garry Monk’s Swansea, Ben Twelves picks a number of discussion topics from the Liberty Stadium.
Liverpool ended their Liberty Stadium jinx thanks to Jordan Henderson’s fortunate second-half winner that moves the Reds back to within two points of fourth-placed Man United.
A sluggish first half display was put right by a controlled second half performance from Brendan Rodgers’ side, who took full advantage of the rare slice of fortune that fell their way – keeping themselves right on tails of Man City, Arsenal and United in the race for Champions League qualification.
While not the prettiest performance over 90 minutes we will see this season it was job done with another vital three points on the board, perfectly setting up next weekend’s clash against United.
Here are the discussion points from the vital win.
On an unusually uncomfortable night defensively for Liverpool in south Wales, Martin Skrtel turned in a solid and assured display in the Reds back line.
With Emre Can below-par, Mamadou Sakho taking time to settle on his return from injury and the handful Bafetimbi Gomis to compete against, the Slovakian had his work cut-out but dealt superbly with all that was thrown at him on the night.
Brave in the box, winning vital headers and making nine important clearances – the most of any Liverpool player on Monday night – Skrtel battled superbly ahead of Mignolet to keep a below-par defence somewhat in tune, and in a controlled second half display, the 30-year-old also played a fundamental part in Henderson’s winner.
Completing an impressive 92.2% of 77 passes played – the most of any Red in the match – it was his precise forward ball that found Sturridge, who produced a deft round-the-corner flick to release the breaking Henderson for the winning goal.
Once again in his central defensive position, Skrtel put in another imposing performance to continue his good form.
Maginificent Simon Mignolet Saves the Reds
While it was Henderson’s deflected goal that proved to be the difference, the three points go back to Merseyside thanks in no small part to the in-form Belgian.
Despite having an uncharacteristically unsettled back three ahead of him, Mignolet remained an assured influence between the sticks – some sloppy distribution aside – where he made a number of superb stops to ensure of a record equalling clean sheet in the league for his team, as well as recording his seventh of 2015 and 12th this season.
A good save from Bafetimbi Gomis after half-an-hour, stunning full-stretch stop to deny Gylfi Sigurdsson’s curling effort finding the top corner before half time, and a series of convincing punches from corners and command from crosses complimented another authoritative display from the Belgium international.
The rejuvenated ‘keeper continued to answer his many critics with another excellent 90 minutes and his form will be a huge factor in the all-important run-in.
Joe Allen Return Vital to Reds Midfield
Returning to the team after missing the FA Cup goalless draw against Blackburn, the ‘Welsh Xavi’ displayed his importance to the current Reds set-up with a man-of-the-match display.
Allen’s bravery provided sloppy teammates with a safe outlet all night, and his ball retention – of which he completed 90% of passes played – alongside his tenacity in midfield allowed for the Reds to regain control of the match in a hugely impressive second half performance.
Taking the sting out of tricky situations with his reliability, control and skill in possession alongside pressing of opposition to win the ball, Allen provided an excellent defensive option alongside his play-making which saw him create three chances; illustrated by his making of five tackles and three interceptions – double his season averages in both departments.
The former Swansea man continues to recapture his best form in a red shirt, and his role in swinging the game in Liverpool’s favour with an excellent second half should not be underestimated.
Rodgers’s Tactical Management Wins the Game
With his team struggling and lucky to be level after a poor first half showing, the Liverpool boss proved his worth with a number of tactical master strokes to transform the match.
In desperate need of a re-group at half time, Rodgers’ switch to a diamond shape midfield to match Swansea proved a stroke of genius as it stopped Garry Monk’s side being able to play through midfield as easily and pinned in their adventurous full-backs with Sterling and Lallana now deployed in more advanced positions.
Allowing the Reds to then play higher up against Monk’s team and thus introducing a change of mind-set, taking off Alberto Moreno to introduce Steven Gerrard for extra midfield control also proved an excellent move, with the Captain in good form with and without the ball playing sensibly from deep.
Able to press high, encourage runners from deep and disrupting the home side’s rhythm while asserting themselves on the game, Rodgers watched his shrewd strategic work pay off as his team took firm control of the match and grabbed another huge win on the road.
Sturridge’s Slump Becoming a Concern
Daniel Sturridge endured another poor night spearheading the Reds attack as his disappointing form continues since returning from injury.
The 25-year-old was way off the pace all night – shown perfectly by the fact he was dispossessed four times, the most of anyone for Rodgers’ side – and the striker was sloppy throughout with and without the ball, failing to find the same wavelength as Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling.
Second to everything and lacking in the explosiveness usually seen, Sturridge’s inability to link-up with fellow attackers made for a disjointed and blunt attack – epitomised by the fact his first meaningful contribution to the game arrived when his excellent flick released Henderson who made his own luck for the goal.
That was about as good as it got for the England striker who produced half-baked pressing and moaned throughout – though he did see a great instinctive right-foot curler hit the post in injury time – and another lethargic display makes his poor recent form an increasing concern.
Next up for the Reds is the visit of arch-rivals Man United to Anfield where a win over Louis van Gaal’s side would move Liverpool into the top four for first time this season.
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Following Liverpool’s important 1-0 victory against Garry Monk’s Swansea, Ben Twelves picks a number of discussion topics from the Liberty Stadium.
Liverpool ended their Liberty Stadium jinx thanks to Jordan Henderson’s fortunate second-half winner that moves the Reds back to within two points of fourth-placed Man United.
A sluggish first half display was put right by a controlled second half performance from Brendan Rodgers’ side, who took full advantage of the rare slice of fortune that fell their way – keeping themselves right on tails of Man City, Arsenal and United in the race for Champions League qualification.
While not the prettiest performance over 90 minutes we will see this season it was job done with another vital three points on the board, perfectly setting up next weekend’s clash against United.
Here are the discussion points from the vital win.
On an unusually uncomfortable night defensively for Liverpool in south Wales, Martin Skrtel turned in a solid and assured display in the Reds back line.
With Emre Can below-par, Mamadou Sakho taking time to settle on his return from injury and the handful Bafetimbi Gomis to compete against, the Slovakian had his work cut-out but dealt superbly with all that was thrown at him on the night.
Brave in the box, winning vital headers and making nine important clearances – the most of any Liverpool player on Monday night – Skrtel battled superbly ahead of Mignolet to keep a below-par defence somewhat in tune, and in a controlled second half display, the 30-year-old also played a fundamental part in Henderson’s winner.
Completing an impressive 92.2% of 77 passes played – the most of any Red in the match – it was his precise forward ball that found Sturridge, who produced a deft round-the-corner flick to release the breaking Henderson for the winning goal.
Once again in his central defensive position, Skrtel put in another imposing performance to continue his good form.
Maginificent Simon Mignolet Saves the Reds
While it was Henderson’s deflected goal that proved to be the difference, the three points go back to Merseyside thanks in no small part to the in-form Belgian.
Despite having an uncharacteristically unsettled back three ahead of him, Mignolet remained an assured influence between the sticks – some sloppy distribution aside – where he made a number of superb stops to ensure of a record equalling clean sheet in the league for his team, as well as recording his seventh of 2015 and 12th this season.
A good save from Bafetimbi Gomis after half-an-hour, stunning full-stretch stop to deny Gylfi Sigurdsson’s curling effort finding the top corner before half time, and a series of convincing punches from corners and command from crosses complimented another authoritative display from the Belgium international.
The rejuvenated ‘keeper continued to answer his many critics with another excellent 90 minutes and his form will be a huge factor in the all-important run-in.
Joe Allen Return Vital to Reds Midfield
Returning to the team after missing the FA Cup goalless draw against Blackburn, the ‘Welsh Xavi’ displayed his importance to the current Reds set-up with a man-of-the-match display.
Allen’s bravery provided sloppy teammates with a safe outlet all night, and his ball retention – of which he completed 90% of passes played – alongside his tenacity in midfield allowed for the Reds to regain control of the match in a hugely impressive second half performance.
Taking the sting out of tricky situations with his reliability, control and skill in possession alongside pressing of opposition to win the ball, Allen provided an excellent defensive option alongside his play-making which saw him create three chances; illustrated by his making of five tackles and three interceptions – double his season averages in both departments.
The former Swansea man continues to recapture his best form in a red shirt, and his role in swinging the game in Liverpool’s favour with an excellent second half should not be underestimated.
Rodgers’s Tactical Management Wins the Game
With his team struggling and lucky to be level after a poor first half showing, the Liverpool boss proved his worth with a number of tactical master strokes to transform the match.
In desperate need of a re-group at half time, Rodgers’ switch to a diamond shape midfield to match Swansea proved a stroke of genius as it stopped Garry Monk’s side being able to play through midfield as easily and pinned in their adventurous full-backs with Sterling and Lallana now deployed in more advanced positions.
Allowing the Reds to then play higher up against Monk’s team and thus introducing a change of mind-set, taking off Alberto Moreno to introduce Steven Gerrard for extra midfield control also proved an excellent move, with the Captain in good form with and without the ball playing sensibly from deep.
Able to press high, encourage runners from deep and disrupting the home side’s rhythm while asserting themselves on the game, Rodgers watched his shrewd strategic work pay off as his team took firm control of the match and grabbed another huge win on the road.
Sturridge’s Slump Becoming a Concern
Daniel Sturridge endured another poor night spearheading the Reds attack as his disappointing form continues since returning from injury.
The 25-year-old was way off the pace all night – shown perfectly by the fact he was dispossessed four times, the most of anyone for Rodgers’ side – and the striker was sloppy throughout with and without the ball, failing to find the same wavelength as Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling.
Second to everything and lacking in the explosiveness usually seen, Sturridge’s inability to link-up with fellow attackers made for a disjointed and blunt attack – epitomised by the fact his first meaningful contribution to the game arrived when his excellent flick released Henderson who made his own luck for the goal.
That was about as good as it got for the England striker who produced half-baked pressing and moaned throughout – though he did see a great instinctive right-foot curler hit the post in injury time – and another lethargic display makes his poor recent form an increasing concern.
Next up for the Reds is the visit of arch-rivals Man United to Anfield where a win over Louis van Gaal’s side would move Liverpool into the top four for first time this season.
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insisted he had to “pay respect to the team” after skipper Steven Gerrard ended his five-week absence from the bench in a 1-0 win at Swansea.
Gerrard had not featured since the 3-2 home victory over Tottenham on February 10 because of hamstring trouble, but he returned to the fray as a 64th-minute substitute at the Liberty Stadium as Liverpool moved to within two points of fourth-placed Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League.
It was Liverpool’s fifth league win on the spin and they have now lost only twice in their last 23 games in all competitions.
Liverpool’s last league loss was a 3-0 defeat at Manchester United on December 14 and the two sides now meet in a huge Anfield showdown on Sunday, although whether Gerrard will start remains open to debate after Rodgers’ praise for the team in his absence.
“You have to pay respect to the team,” Rodgers explained when asked about Gerrard’s return as a second-half substitute in south Wales.
“The team has been playing very well and getting results and collectively over the last three months we’ve been in great form.
“You’ve also got to pay attention that he (Gerrard) has been out for considerable period of time as well, but you see how important he is when he came on.
“We were able to penetrate when Steven came on and he offered that calmness and control.
Rodgers admits he has not ruled out a top-two finish after Jordan Henderson‘s 68th-minute winner made the most of second-placed Manchester City’s surprise weekend defeat at Burnley.
Only four points now separate City from Liverpool in fifth with Arsenal and Manchester United also battling for those coveted top-four spots which will guarantee Champions League football next season.
“We’ve put ourselves in great position,” Rodgers said. “We want to finish as high as we can and everyone talks about fourth, but it’s the same every year.
“We’ll do the best we can and Manchester City’s result at the weekend gives us an opportunity to finish second.
“We’ve got to use the mentality, run and confidence we’ve got, take that into every game and see where it takes us.”
Swansea manager Garry Monk expressed sympathy for his players who he felt deserved something from the game.
“I’m disappointed for the players, who put a lot of effort in, stuck at it and showed a lot of commitment,” Monk said.
“We deserved something from the game as in the first half we were superb and dominated the game.
“We played some fantastic stuff and I feel it’s an opportunity missed. “We had some good chances in the first half and should have scored one or two.
“When you don’t take your chances, a side like Liverpool will come back into the game, but I thought we played some of our best football in that game.”
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insisted he had to “pay respect to the team” after skipper Steven Gerrard ended his five-week absence from the bench in a 1-0 win at Swansea.
Gerrard had not featured since the 3-2 home victory over Tottenham on February 10 because of hamstring trouble, but he returned to the fray as a 64th-minute substitute at the Liberty Stadium as Liverpool moved to within two points of fourth-placed Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League.
It was Liverpool’s fifth league win on the spin and they have now lost only twice in their last 23 games in all competitions.
Liverpool’s last league loss was a 3-0 defeat at Manchester United on December 14 and the two sides now meet in a huge Anfield showdown on Sunday, although whether Gerrard will start remains open to debate after Rodgers’ praise for the team in his absence.
“You have to pay respect to the team,” Rodgers explained when asked about Gerrard’s return as a second-half substitute in south Wales.
“The team has been playing very well and getting results and collectively over the last three months we’ve been in great form.
“You’ve also got to pay attention that he (Gerrard) has been out for considerable period of time as well, but you see how important he is when he came on.
“We were able to penetrate when Steven came on and he offered that calmness and control.
Rodgers admits he has not ruled out a top-two finish after Jordan Henderson‘s 68th-minute winner made the most of second-placed Manchester City’s surprise weekend defeat at Burnley.
Only four points now separate City from Liverpool in fifth with Arsenal and Manchester United also battling for those coveted top-four spots which will guarantee Champions League football next season.
“We’ve put ourselves in great position,” Rodgers said. “We want to finish as high as we can and everyone talks about fourth, but it’s the same every year.
“We’ll do the best we can and Manchester City’s result at the weekend gives us an opportunity to finish second.
“We’ve got to use the mentality, run and confidence we’ve got, take that into every game and see where it takes us.”
Swansea manager Garry Monk expressed sympathy for his players who he felt deserved something from the game.
“I’m disappointed for the players, who put a lot of effort in, stuck at it and showed a lot of commitment,” Monk said.
“We deserved something from the game as in the first half we were superb and dominated the game.
“We played some fantastic stuff and I feel it’s an opportunity missed. “We had some good chances in the first half and should have scored one or two.
“When you don’t take your chances, a side like Liverpool will come back into the game, but I thought we played some of our best football in that game.”
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Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Swansea on Monday night further enhanced their top-four aspirations, and we round-up the reaction of the morning newspapers.
There have been, and will be, far better performances by the Reds this season, but when it gets to this stage of the campaign, sometimes winning is the only thing that matters.
Jordan Henderson‘s freakish second-half winner earned Brendan Rodgers‘ side all three points, but it was a night that threatened to derail their Champions League hopes.
A poor first-half display wasn’t punished, thanks mainly to the excellence of Simon Mignolet, but Liverpool picked up when Steven Gerrard was introduced and Rodgers changed his system to a midfield diamond after the break. In the end they could easily have added a second late on.
The victory leaves the Merseysiders two points adrift of Sunday’s opponents Manchester United, and just three and four points back from Arsenal and Manchester City, respectively. It promises to be a thrilling run-in.
The Welshman’s displays in this stadium helped persuade Liverpool to pay £15m for him. In recent weeks, though, Allen has looked like a player who is worth the fee.
Here, like against Manchester City, he was excellent, a picture of composure and hard-work, who kept his head while plenty around him looked like losing theirs.
He passed the ball better than any Liverpool player in the first half, and won it back more regularly than anyone else after the break He even found time to join in in the attacking third, though it was his off-the-ball work which most impressed, especially when he went to an adjusted role on the left after Steven Gerrard‘s introduction.
Walsh was also quick to mention the superb form of Martin Skrtel, describing him as one of the Premier League’s best defenders currently:
He hasn’t always convinced in a Liverpool shirt, but Martin Skrtel’s form over the past three months puts him up there with the best defenders in the country.
The Slovakian is benefiting from a streamlining of his role in the 3-4-2-1 system. He is required to head, to tackle and to cover. His on-the-ball work is rarely exceptional, but Liverpool ask Emre Can and, to a lesser degree, Mamadou Sakho to deal with the forward passes. Behind them, Skrtel is becoming an increasingly-assured presence.
He was one of the few to emerge with credit in the first half here, positioning himself perfectly to deal with danger on a number of occasions. After the break, life was easier, but his concentration never wavered.
The Daily Telegraph ‘s Chris Bascombe stressed the importance of Gerrard’s introduction, stating that he remains an important member of the squad:
There was a time Steven Gerrard would take his place in the starting XI even if he had only one working leg, but such is Liverpool’s form Brendan Rodgers elected to hold his skipper back. On the surface it was a sensible decision, nurturing a returning player back to fitness.
In reality, it was a glimpse of the future, Liverpool having to learn to live without Gerrard’s formidable presence. Gerrard was still needed within 65 minutes and the opening goal swiftly followed. Nothing changes that much.
Bascombe also highlighted Daniel Sturridge‘s form since returning from injury, with the 25-year-old still well short of his best:
There is no doubting Daniel Sturridge’s quality, and he played as a lone striker enough during Luis Suárez’s many suspensions to suggest he can pull it off, but since his return the forward line has not gelled as much as while he was absent. Raheem Sterling seemed to suit the 3-4-3 system more comfortably.
It could be a question of match fitness, and the goals will surely flow regularly soon, but his comeback has not been seamless. Adam Lallana and Sterling switching as a right wing back to accommodate Sturridge summed up the strategic problem.
The Mirror ‘s Liam Prenderville focused on another excellent performance by Mignolet, whose improvements over the last few months have been nothing short of astonishing:
After a dismal start to the season, many doubted if Simon Mignolet was up to the job of being Liverpool’s No.1. A series of high-profile clangers, nervy handling and woeful kicking, it was no surprise to see the Belgian axed by Brendan Rodgers.
An injury to back-up Brad Jones at Burnley on Boxing Day gave Mignolet a chance to return, and since then he hasn’t looked back. At the Liberty Stadium, he was again in excellent form, first denying Gomis with a low save to his right. But the best was yet to come, as the first-half drew to a close.
Gylfi Sigurdsson wriggled free in the area and appeared to have curled the hosts in front but Mignolet flung himself at the attempt to claw it away. Rodgers may still move for a new stopper in the summer but for now, Mignolet is proving he is up to the job.
Stuart James of the Guardian praised Rodgers’ decision to change his system in the second-half, and lauded the Reds’ brilliant away record defensively of late:
Rodgers said it was all about the result at a stadium where United and Arsenal lost this season. For much of the first half it looked as though Swansea would be adding Liverpool to their list of scalps but the complexion of the game changed after the interval when Rodgers tweaked his tactics, urged his players to press higher up the pitch and was able to look on with delight when fate smiled on them midway through the second half.
[…]
Playing with a diamond shape in the second half, and much greater intensity, Liverpool became a different proposition. Fabianski made a superb save to thwart Philippe Coutinho and also denied Joe Allen, while Sturridge’s curling shot hit the post in injury time. There was nothing, however, the Swansea goalkeeper could do to stop Henderson’s bizarre winner.
As mentioned above, Liverpool’s next game is against United at Anfield on Sunday (1:30pm GMT), before facing Arsenal at the Emirates on April 4th (12:45pm GMT). There is a pesky international break in between.
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Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Swansea on Monday night further enhanced their top-four aspirations, and we round-up the reaction of the morning newspapers.
There have been, and will be, far better performances by the Reds this season, but when it gets to this stage of the campaign, sometimes winning is the only thing that matters.
Jordan Henderson‘s freakish second-half winner earned Brendan Rodgers‘ side all three points, but it was a night that threatened to derail their Champions League hopes.
A poor first-half display wasn’t punished, thanks mainly to the excellence of Simon Mignolet, but Liverpool picked up when Steven Gerrard was introduced and Rodgers changed his system to a midfield diamond after the break. In the end they could easily have added a second late on.
The victory leaves the Merseysiders two points adrift of Sunday’s opponents Manchester United, and just three and four points back from Arsenal and Manchester City, respectively. It promises to be a thrilling run-in.
The Welshman’s displays in this stadium helped persuade Liverpool to pay £15m for him. In recent weeks, though, Allen has looked like a player who is worth the fee.
Here, like against Manchester City, he was excellent, a picture of composure and hard-work, who kept his head while plenty around him looked like losing theirs.
He passed the ball better than any Liverpool player in the first half, and won it back more regularly than anyone else after the break He even found time to join in in the attacking third, though it was his off-the-ball work which most impressed, especially when he went to an adjusted role on the left after Steven Gerrard‘s introduction.
Walsh was also quick to mention the superb form of Martin Skrtel, describing him as one of the Premier League’s best defenders currently:
He hasn’t always convinced in a Liverpool shirt, but Martin Skrtel’s form over the past three months puts him up there with the best defenders in the country.
The Slovakian is benefiting from a streamlining of his role in the 3-4-2-1 system. He is required to head, to tackle and to cover. His on-the-ball work is rarely exceptional, but Liverpool ask Emre Can and, to a lesser degree, Mamadou Sakho to deal with the forward passes. Behind them, Skrtel is becoming an increasingly-assured presence.
He was one of the few to emerge with credit in the first half here, positioning himself perfectly to deal with danger on a number of occasions. After the break, life was easier, but his concentration never wavered.
The Daily Telegraph ‘s Chris Bascombe stressed the importance of Gerrard’s introduction, stating that he remains an important member of the squad:
There was a time Steven Gerrard would take his place in the starting XI even if he had only one working leg, but such is Liverpool’s form Brendan Rodgers elected to hold his skipper back. On the surface it was a sensible decision, nurturing a returning player back to fitness.
In reality, it was a glimpse of the future, Liverpool having to learn to live without Gerrard’s formidable presence. Gerrard was still needed within 65 minutes and the opening goal swiftly followed. Nothing changes that much.
Bascombe also highlighted Daniel Sturridge‘s form since returning from injury, with the 25-year-old still well short of his best:
There is no doubting Daniel Sturridge’s quality, and he played as a lone striker enough during Luis Suárez’s many suspensions to suggest he can pull it off, but since his return the forward line has not gelled as much as while he was absent. Raheem Sterling seemed to suit the 3-4-3 system more comfortably.
It could be a question of match fitness, and the goals will surely flow regularly soon, but his comeback has not been seamless. Adam Lallana and Sterling switching as a right wing back to accommodate Sturridge summed up the strategic problem.
The Mirror ‘s Liam Prenderville focused on another excellent performance by Mignolet, whose improvements over the last few months have been nothing short of astonishing:
After a dismal start to the season, many doubted if Simon Mignolet was up to the job of being Liverpool’s No.1. A series of high-profile clangers, nervy handling and woeful kicking, it was no surprise to see the Belgian axed by Brendan Rodgers.
An injury to back-up Brad Jones at Burnley on Boxing Day gave Mignolet a chance to return, and since then he hasn’t looked back. At the Liberty Stadium, he was again in excellent form, first denying Gomis with a low save to his right. But the best was yet to come, as the first-half drew to a close.
Gylfi Sigurdsson wriggled free in the area and appeared to have curled the hosts in front but Mignolet flung himself at the attempt to claw it away. Rodgers may still move for a new stopper in the summer but for now, Mignolet is proving he is up to the job.
Stuart James of the Guardian praised Rodgers’ decision to change his system in the second-half, and lauded the Reds’ brilliant away record defensively of late:
Rodgers said it was all about the result at a stadium where United and Arsenal lost this season. For much of the first half it looked as though Swansea would be adding Liverpool to their list of scalps but the complexion of the game changed after the interval when Rodgers tweaked his tactics, urged his players to press higher up the pitch and was able to look on with delight when fate smiled on them midway through the second half.
[…]
Playing with a diamond shape in the second half, and much greater intensity, Liverpool became a different proposition. Fabianski made a superb save to thwart Philippe Coutinho and also denied Joe Allen, while Sturridge’s curling shot hit the post in injury time. There was nothing, however, the Swansea goalkeeper could do to stop Henderson’s bizarre winner.
As mentioned above, Liverpool’s next game is against United at Anfield on Sunday (1:30pm GMT), before facing Arsenal at the Emirates on April 4th (12:45pm GMT). There is a pesky international break in between.
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