Twitter Reacts to Liverpool's Premier League Victory at Swansea

Jonjo Shelvey has a habit of stealing the limelight when Swansea face Liverpool. Earlier this season at Anfield, the stadium he used to call home, the Swans midfielder bagged an own goal and a four-match ban for striking Emre Can. The previous season, he had a slightly more positive impact when he bagged a golazo in the Welsh side's 4-3 loss on Merseyside... 

Before the game, there was plenty of Twitter banter surrounding the 23-year-old...

"

Might stick a fiver on Jonjo Shelvey to save a penalty tonight.

— IKR (@ikr2603) March 16, 2015"

"

The big question for tonight: will Jonjo Shelvey do the sublime, the brain dead, or both? #SCFCvLFC

— Craig (@CraigD92) March 16, 2015"

There was even a Jonjo Shelvey bingo card doing the rounds...

There was also plenty of narrative surrounding Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers and his return to the Liberty Stadium. The Northern Irish manager was no doubt feeling inspired to succeed by his current club's excellent form (six wins in seven league games and 12 games unbeaten) and also his all-night-long meeting with a legend named Lionel. Richie, that is, not Messi...

Within a minute of kick-off, Shelvey was causing a stir on Twitter—but only because he was the recipient of a Jordan Henderson kick to the face... 

"

Henderson very lucky to still be on the pitch here. High boot in Shelvey's face unpunished, ridiculous challenge 3 minutes later. #SWALIV

— Craig Schofield (@CraigSchofield) March 16, 2015"

Henderson received plenty of criticism throughout the first half, with many suggesting that the man he booted was having a much better day...

"

Jonjo Shelvey > Jordan Henderson. Discuss (20 marks).

— Samuel J Westran (@samueljwestran) March 16, 2015"

"

6 mins and Henderson has already been booked and kicked Shelvey in the face. Calm down, son. #YNWA #LivSwans

— Smudgie Buggler (@blueshiftbeeble) March 16, 2015"

Swansea enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the first 45, with the frequently maligned Simon Mignolet credited with keeping the visitors in the game...

"

Thank God for Mignolet pic.twitter.com/sU7Qzuh5iz

— Shrrrrs ✗❤ｏ (@Shri_Dawg) March 16, 2015"

"

Simon Mignolet leaping everywhere like a Salmon!

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) March 16, 2015"

The half-time whistle blew with Liverpool putting in their worst shift in months. Most fans were unimpressed...

"

Piss poor first half from Liverpool!

— Mark Morgan (@dirtychopper) March 16, 2015"

"

Liverpool look rubbish tonight

— reece Affleck (@affleck_reece) March 16, 2015"

Mr. Shelvey, meanwhile, continued to trend...

Rodgers, perhaps inspired by the words and lyrics of Lionel Richie, decided that his side needed to say "Hello" to Steven Gerrard. Just past the hour mark, the statistics were ignored, and the 34-year-old made his way onto the field...

"

Steven Gerrard coming on pic.twitter.com/2lVQZQiu7W

— That Yank kid (@LosAngelesKid) March 16, 2015"

"

Gerrard to score the winner

— Sam Williams (@Sebby_Williams) March 16, 2015"

Gerrard's influence was apparently immediate. Within four minutes of stepping onto the field, Henderson put the Reds ahead through an awkward unintentional lob that deflected off his shin. Suddenly, the vitriol aimed at Henderson in the first half dissipated...

Despite Gerrard not touching the ball in the buildup to the goal, commentator Martin Tyler praised his "influence" on Hendo's strike, and many folks on Twitter made the same connection...

"

Gerrard comes on and within 5 minutes we get a goal 

— DB (@_DxmBillingtxn) March 16, 2015"

"

Just Gerrard being on the pitch changes everything

— Coutinho (@Nawad_A) March 16, 2015"

"

Gerrard on and Liverpool score. #MakesYouThink

— Naser (@CFCNaser_) March 16, 2015"

"

Gerrard came on and we scored pic.twitter.com/XbmD9fVGnx

— Steven Gerrard (@LFCChris_) March 16, 2015"

The goal seemed to jolt Liverpool into gear, as they started to dominate possession and regularly dispossess the hosts...

Joe Allen also joined Mignolet on the list of heavily criticised Liverpool players who were suddenly showered with praise even though he managed to hit himself in the face with the ball in injury time...

"

Joe Allen is world class

— Darren Forde (@darrenliverpool) March 16, 2015"

Liverpool nearly doubled their advantage when Daniel Sturridge trickled a shot on to the post, but the game eventually finished 1-0 to the visitors, who earned a vital three points to maintain their pursuit of a top-four finish...

Swansea fans, who may have felt that they deserved more from the game, were left unhappy with their club's Twitter offering of post-match reaction...

"

“@SwansOfficial: We'll bring you reaction from the Liberty Stadium as soon as we get it. #SWALIV” pic.twitter.com/G13Nt9gsJB

— Lucious Lyon. (@Novaculah) March 16, 2015"

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