Liverpool vs. Swansea: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will welcome former side Swansea City to Anfield, as the Reds look to finish 2014 on a winning note.
Last time out the Merseyside club were wholly unconvincing in a 1-0 victory at Burnley, while the Swans were made to work equally as hard for their three points on Boxing Day, overcoming a determined Aston Villa side 1-0.
But those turgid encounters shouldn’t detract from what should be an engrossing fixture at the home of the Reds and subsequently, this is not one to be missed. Here’s a rundown of both teams’ fortunes coming into this one, as well as all the information you need on where to catch the final Premier League game of 2014.
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Date: Monday, Dec. 28
Time: 8 p.m. (GMT), 3 p.m. (ET)
Live Stream: Sky Go App (UK), NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.)
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK), NBC (U.S.)
Likely Line-Ups:
Liverpool Looking To Finish 2014 With a Flourish
Garry Monk has been doing an admirable job in his first full season as Swansea boss, and with his team looking well primed to battle for one of the European spots, the Welsh club go into 2015 with plenty to play for and an array of colourful football to sample.
Two of the primary catalysts for the club’s fine campaign have been Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wilfried Bony. The pair have struck up a wonderful understanding, with the Icelandic’s intricate, incisive passing proving to be an exceptional foil for the Ivorian’s mixture of panache and power.
With that in mind, it’s little wonder that the Reds’ supporters are not looking forward to facing Swansea, per Viktor Fagerstrom:
Indeed, it’ll be intriguing to see just how Rodgers approaches this one. Simon Mignolet could be drafted back in between the sticks after an injury to Brad Jones. Also, while the Reds boss has deployed a 3-4-3 system in recent weeks, that could be too open to deal with an expansive Swans side and leave the centre-backs exposed against the dangerous aforementioned twosome.
But it seems Liverpool’s best option is to attack at the moment, especially when they have Raheem Sterling in glittering form. The winger-cum-forward has been excellent at the point of the Reds attack in recent weeks after a difficult spell, as noted here by OptaJoe:
Aside from Sterling, against Burnley the Reds showcased a staggering lack on ingenuity and toiled for the most part up in the face of Sean Dyche’s modest but cohesive team. Swansea might not be quite as defensively set when they rock up to Anfield, but it’s imperative that Liverpool show a little more initiative and responsibility in their play if they’re to take all three points.
Bleacher Report’s Karl Matchett provided us with a succinct summation of Liverpool’s performance and tactics on Boxing Day:
Swansea’s willingness to play a fluid, attacking game will see the likes of Sterling, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho afforded a little more space to work with in dangerous areas than what they found at Turf Moor, but at the other end of the pitch, the visitors have the calibre of player to really hurt this Liverpool side.
With than in mind, goals are surely a given. Swansea have a decent record against Liverpool in recent seasons and will feel comfortable going to Anfield, but Rodgers’ side seem to be slowly rediscovering their footing in the Premier League and will not lose at home. All things considered, an entertaining score draw looks the most likely outcome here.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Swansea City
