Out of the FA Cup, Liverpool begin their single-minded assault on the Premier League’s top three with a home clash against Brendan Rodgers‘ former club Swansea City on Sunday.
(Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool v Swansea
Sunday, 23rd February 2014; 1.30pm kick-off
Premier League
Anfield
Whilst Liverpool’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Arsenal last Sunday was disappointment, it also means the Reds have no distractions as they enter their final 12 games of the Premier League season.
Above them, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City all have Champions League commitments, whilst the latter two are also still in this year’s FA Cup.
The Reds currently sit fourth in the Premier League, three points ahead of fifth placed Tottenham and just four points off league leaders Chelsea. Depending on other results this weekend, a victory could take Rodgers’ men second on Sunday.
Think you know your football? Pick the winners from this weekend’s Premier League matches and win cash! FanBet — free to play here .
Swansea are having somewhat of a topsy-turvy season, having recently departed with manager Michael Laudrup, despite the Dane taking them to League Cup glory last season.
Recent results have included a pulsating 3-0 win over local rivals Cardiff City, a 1-1 draw at Stoke and a 3-1 defeat on their last visit to Merseyside at Everton in the FA Cup.
A strong midweek performance and goalless draw at home to Rafa Benitez’s Napoli will have restored confidence after the humbling at Goodison Park last Sunday.
The Swans’ visit to Anfield on Sunday is their third game in eight days, but they welcomed back former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey from a hamstring injury against Napoli.
Michu remains out with an ankle injury.
Philippe Coutinho celebrates scoring the second goal against Swansea City. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Glen Johnson returns to the Liverpool squad for the first time in a month for Sunday’s meeting after recovering from injury and training this week.
However, Mamadou Sakho, Jose Enrique and Lucas Leiva all remain sidelined for the Reds.
Jordan Henderson will likely replace Joe Allen in the starting eleven after the midfielder was rested from the line-up against Arsenal last Sunday.
The match is not live on TV in the UK, but highlights are on BBC One’s Match of the Day at 10:25pm.
Out of the FA Cup, Liverpool begin their single-minded assault on the Premier League’s top three with a home clash against Brendan Rodgers‘ former club Swansea City on Sunday.
(Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool v Swansea
Sunday, 23rd February 2014; 1.30pm kick-off
Premier League
Anfield
Whilst Liverpool’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Arsenal last Sunday was disappointment, it also means the Reds have no distractions as they enter their final 12 games of the Premier League season.
Above them, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City all have Champions League commitments, whilst the latter two are also still in this year’s FA Cup.
The Reds currently sit fourth in the Premier League, three points ahead of fifth placed Tottenham and just four points off league leaders Chelsea. Depending on other results this weekend, a victory could take Rodgers’ men second on Sunday.
Think you know your football? Pick the winners from this weekend’s Premier League matches and win cash! FanBet — free to play here .
Swansea are having somewhat of a topsy-turvy season, having recently departed with manager Michael Laudrup, despite the Dane taking them to League Cup glory last season.
Recent results have included a pulsating 3-0 win over local rivals Cardiff City, a 1-1 draw at Stoke and a 3-1 defeat on their last visit to Merseyside at Everton in the FA Cup.
A strong midweek performance and goalless draw at home to Rafa Benitez’s Napoli will have restored confidence after the humbling at Goodison Park last Sunday.
The Swans’ visit to Anfield on Sunday is their third game in eight days, but they welcomed back former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey from a hamstring injury against Napoli.
Michu remains out with an ankle injury.
Philippe Coutinho celebrates scoring the second goal against Swansea City. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Glen Johnson returns to the Liverpool squad for the first time in a month for Sunday’s meeting after recovering from injury and training this week.
However, Mamadou Sakho, Jose Enrique and Lucas Leiva all remain sidelined for the Reds.
Jordan Henderson will likely replace Joe Allen in the starting eleven after the midfielder was rested from the line-up against Arsenal last Sunday.
The match is not live on TV in the UK, but highlights are on BBC One’s Match of the Day at 10:25pm.
Brendan Rodgers spoke to the media on Friday afternoon ahead of Sunday’s visit of former club Swansea City to Anfield.
The Liverpool boss confirmed that defender Glen Johnson has trained this week and is back available after an ankle injury kept him sidelined for the past month.
“Glen’s been back training and he’s felt as good as he’s done for a long time. He’ll come into the squad [this weekend]” explained Rodgers.
Johnson’s return is likely to mean either himself of Jon Flanagan replacing Aly Cissokho at left-back.
Rodgers explained how left-back Jose Enrique, who has been out since October, has been to America to seek specialist treatment on his knee injury.
“Jose Enrique has been sent to America to get some specialist advice on his knee injury” explained Rodgers. “We’re looking to try and put an end to his injuries this season.”
Centre-back Mamadou Sakho though remains sidelined, he’s been out since the Chelsea match over Christmas. “Sakho is still probably a week or so away” explained the boss.
On midfielder Lucas, the boss said “Lucas Leiva is doing well but he’s not back in the squad yet.”
Meanwhile, the boss was asked about last week’s FA Cup exit:
“Last week we were disappointed to go out the cup. I think you see in the players reactions after the game. Our performance levels were really good. But now focusses us on what’s remaining.
“Ideally we would have more games and be in more competitions but gives us chance to ensure players fitness levels are correct and focus on one game.”
Asked about the Reds’ home form this season, with 11 wins from 13 games, Rodgers said:
“It’s something we’ve been building towards and need to continue our work. We just need to go in with the same approach, that same energy and commitment in games.
“We go into every game looking to own the pitch. We have to play like we own it. That’s always been the mantra here for many many years.
“We back ourselves now and we expect to win. Dealing with that pressure has really helped.
“Everyone’s working tirelessly to achieve results. You do that consistently and you get momentum.”
Finally, Rodgers was asked about Yevhen Konoplyanka, who scored against Tottenham in the Europa League last night:
“We’ve got lots of people that were looking at and we’ll assess where we at the end of the season and take it from there.”
Liverpool face Rodgers’ form side Swansea City at Anfield on Sunday (1:30pm kick off).
Brendan Rodgers spoke to the media on Friday afternoon ahead of Sunday’s visit of former club Swansea City to Anfield.
The Liverpool boss confirmed that defender Glen Johnson has trained this week and is back available after an ankle injury kept him sidelined for the past month.
“Glen’s been back training and he’s felt as good as he’s done for a long time. He’ll come into the squad [this weekend]” explained Rodgers.
Johnson’s return is likely to mean either himself of Jon Flanagan replacing Aly Cissokho at left-back.
Rodgers explained how left-back Jose Enrique, who has been out since October, has been to America to seek specialist treatment on his knee injury.
“Jose Enrique has been sent to America to get some specialist advice on his knee injury” explained Rodgers. “We’re looking to try and put an end to his injuries this season.”
Centre-back Mamadou Sakho though remains sidelined, he’s been out since the Chelsea match over Christmas. “Sakho is still probably a week or so away” explained the boss.
On midfielder Lucas, the boss said “Lucas Leiva is doing well but he’s not back in the squad yet.”
Meanwhile, the boss was asked about last week’s FA Cup exit:
“Last week we were disappointed to go out the cup. I think you see in the players reactions after the game. Our performance levels were really good. But now focusses us on what’s remaining.
“Ideally we would have more games and be in more competitions but gives us chance to ensure players fitness levels are correct and focus on one game.”
Asked about the Reds’ home form this season, with 11 wins from 13 games, Rodgers said:
“It’s something we’ve been building towards and need to continue our work. We just need to go in with the same approach, that same energy and commitment in games.
“We go into every game looking to own the pitch. We have to play like we own it. That’s always been the mantra here for many many years.
“We back ourselves now and we expect to win. Dealing with that pressure has really helped.
“Everyone’s working tirelessly to achieve results. You do that consistently and you get momentum.”
Finally, Rodgers was asked about Yevhen Konoplyanka, who scored against Tottenham in the Europa League last night:
“We’ve got lots of people that were looking at and we’ll assess where we at the end of the season and take it from there.”
Liverpool face Rodgers’ form side Swansea City at Anfield on Sunday (1:30pm kick off).
