Liverpool vs. Swansea: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction
Liverpool needed some late heroics to defeat Swansea City at Anfield during Tuesday's Capital One Cup action, trailing for much of the second half before netting twice inside the final 10 minutes to win 2-1.
The hosts started with intensity, driven on by a strong Fabio Borini. Lucas Leiva forced Swansea keeper Gerhard Tremmel into a good save after just six minutes, and Philippe Coutinho's low effort just missed the mark.
With both lone strikers struggling to create an opening, the danger came from the advancing midfielders and wingers. Lazar Markovic was teed up beautifully by Jordan Henderson, only to whiff his effort completely.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Borini then twice tested Tremmel in the span of minutes, but the German stopper did well to parry both attempts. The visitors could do very little to counter the Reds' constant attacks but held up well defensively.
Swansea started to grow into the match, and with Liverpool wasting several good opportunities, the threat of falling behind against the run of play remained. Jonjo Shelvey nearly gave his team the lead with a great free-kick on the edge of half-time.
The match was still tied as both teams headed for the dressing room, with pundits and fans looking at Liverpool's attackers as the main reasons for that score. ESPN FC's James Tyler didn't like Markovic's performance but appreciated his intensity:
Swans came out with more attacking intent in the second half, and Nathan Dyer found himself in a strong position to shoot twice in quick succession.
Jay Fulton saw yellow for a dangerous challenge on Coutinho, with most of the Anfield faithful shouting for a red. The Brazilian took a shot on goal just two minutes later but once again found Tremmel in his way.
Javier Manquillo and Jefferson Montero then got involved in a scuffle before Bafetimbi Gomis found himself one-on-one with Brad Jones, failing to get the ball past the Liverpool stopper.
Swansea were now pushing for a goal and were rewarded in the 65th minute after some beautiful buildup play. Marvin Emnes found himself on the end of a delightful cross and didn't miss, rifling a volley past Jones and into the bottom corner.
The Liverpool Echo's James Pearce didn't like how the Reds defence gave the forward that much open space:
Rickie Lambert's header started a wild scramble in front of Swansea's goal that should have led to the equaliser, but somehow the ball failed to cross the line.
With 10 minutes left to play, beleaguered striker Mario Balotelli was sent onto the pitch to try to turn the tide for the hosts, and in a plot twist worthy of Hollywood, it was the Italian who put the hosts back on level terms with mere minutes left on the clock.
As shared by Squawka, he really needed that goal:
Injury time served up plenty of late drama, as Federico Fernandez ran into a (harsh) straight red card before Dejan Lovren sent the Kop into a state of delirium by scoring the winning goal in minute 95, taking advantage of a horrible lapse of judgment from Jones to head home from close range.
Grades
Philippe Coutinho: B
Finishing has never been the Brazilian's strongest feature, but Coutinho's constant movement and ball-dominant approach kept the Reds ticking during the first half. He should have done better with one of his many chances, but on a night where Liverpool struggled in the attacking third, he was a shining light.
Lazar Markovic: D
Fans shouldn't be too quick to judge Markovic, who has struggled to adapt to life in England, in large part due to injury. That said, his performance Tuesday did little to suggest he may be turning the corner.
Markovic has plenty of potential, but after another night filled with bad passes, bad finishing and little else, it's clear he's simply not ready to contribute.
Jonjo Shelvey: B+
The former Liverpool midfielder was by far the best player on the pitch. Always at the heart of Swansea's attack, Shelvey took full advantage of the Reds' defensive struggles, and it came as no surprise that Swans' goal came as the result of one of his through balls.
Post-Match Reaction
Jan Aage Fjortoft believes Liverpool's late win could prove to be a turning point in their season:
The Times' Paul Tomkins was impressed with Borini's contributions and happy the official decided to add five minutes of injury time, allowing Lovren to score the winner:
Former Reds Defender Jamie Carragher thinks the result could have a big impact on the squad:
Balotelli was just happy to finally break his scoring duck, as evidenced by this tweet:
Liverpool got past Swansea by the skin of their teeth, but in cup football, all that matters is the ticket to the next round.
To their credit, the Reds fought until the final minute and were rewarded for that, and perhaps the emotional win can launch their season after a difficult stretch of fixtures.
