Swansea City vs. Liverpool: Score and Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match

James Milner's late penalty heaped more pressure on Swansea City manager Francesco Guidolin on Saturday, as Liverpool came from behind to win 2-1 in their Premier League clash at the Liberty Stadium. 

The home side flew out of the traps in front of the home crowd, with Leroy Fer opening the scoring in the eighth minute after a well-worked corner. Swansea had chances to add a second, with new signing Borja Baston missing a couple of openings.

Liverpool were much improved in the second period, though, and levelled through Roberto Firmino's 54th-minute header. Jurgen Klopp's side surged forward in search of a winner, and while they left it late, Milner converted from the spot seven minutes from time after an error from Angel Rangel.

With Guidolin under scrutiny, there was a big-game feel as this one kicked off. So it was little surprise to see the home side start with impetus.

Liverpool were troubled, with Baston causing problems up top with his physicality; the striker had a great chance to open the scoring, but he could only head over from a fizzing cross into the box.

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Balls into the area proved to be Liverpool’s undoing early on, though. A looped corner to the back post was nodded back across goal by Baston, and with no player in red dealing with the ball, Fer nudged home from close range.

As noted by Bleacher Report UK, the Reds have struggled defending set pieces under manager Jurgen Klopp: 

Swansea had the better chances for the remainder of the half, with Liverpool’s lack of impetus not helped by an injury to Adam Lallana.

Loris Karius sprung into action to push away Jack Cork’s volleyed effort, while Baston escaped his man from another set piece, heading wide when well placed.

Liverpool grew into the game as the half wore on, with Sadio Mane halted by a brilliant last-ditch challenge from Jordi Amat. But at the break, Swansea were value for their lead. Former Reds man Jamie Carragher wasn’t too happy but remained hopeful:

After the break, there was immediately an extra vibrancy about Liverpool. Daniel Sturridge, on for Lallana, linked up well with Mane, but the latter was unable to squeeze the ball home from a tight angle. It was a sign of things to come, and it wasn't long before the Reds were level.

Philippe Coutinho's free-kick hit the Swansea wall, but Jordan Henderson tossed it back into the box. The home side left Firmino unattended, and he controlled a header into the corner superbly.

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Per James Dall of ESPN, the Brazilian had plenty to do with the effort:

After equalising, Liverpool were emboldened. They flew forward and forced the home side into some desperate pieces of defending. The momentum was firmly in the Reds' hands as the match ticked past the hour mark.

Swansea's players were being caught in possession far too frequently, with the intensity of the Liverpool players keeping the pressure on.

And as the game entered the last 10 minutes, you sensed an error was coming from the hosts. Rangel was the unfortunate party, as he skewed his clearance straight to Firmino and then bundled the Brazilian over in the penalty area.

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Milner stepped up and coolly dispatched his effort, giving the visitors a deserved lead and their fourth league win in succession. As noted by OptaJoe, the makeshift left-back excels from the spot:

Swansea went toe-to-toe with the Reds for 45 minutes, although when Klopp's side upped the ante in the second period, the home team blew up. Liverpool may not have been at their fluid best here, but the fitness and intensity of the Reds was what eventually caused the Swansea error that led to the winner.

Liverpool move to second place with this victory and can reflect on a fine start to the Premier League season. Some concerns linger for the Reds, most notably in terms of their defensive play, but the attacking ingenuity and relentlessness with which they operate means they must be considered title challengers.

Reaction

Afterwards, Guidolin conceded that his future was uncertain after this loss. "I don't know," he responded when asked would he still be in a job, per Sky Sports (h/t BBC Sport). "It's not my decision. It's just for me to prepare for the game and the team. I know the situation. It's a possibility."

Klopp praised the reaction from his players following a disappointing first period. "Our build-up was static in the first half. we weren't awake so it was easy to defend," said the manager, per BBC Sport. "You need to show every week that you ready to fight for the result. We did it in this game."