Milner penalty sinks struggling Swansea

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30 Nov 2015

By Tom Rostance BSports

Jurgen Klopp picked up his first league win at Anfield as James Milner's second-half penalty gave Liverpool the points in a stale game against Swansea.

Milner converted after Swans full-back Neil Taylor was penalised for handball.

Liverpool - so impressive in their win at Manchester City last week - were flat for large periods but did see captain Jordan Henderson return from injury as a substitute.

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Liverpool fought for victory - Klopp

Swansea have now won once in 10 league games since August.

Garry Monk's side failed to record a single effort on target in 90 minutes and face the top two in Leicester and Manchester City in their next two games.

Relive the match as it happened

Klopp's Reds struggling for style at home?

Liverpool's last two Premier League games away from home have seen them record hugely impressive wins at champions Chelsea and leaders Manchester City, with Klopp's preferred 'gegenpressing' style well suited to winning the ball back quickly and hurting teams on the break.

But in three league games at home, the Reds have scored just three times under Klopp and remain a work in progress.

Despite a bright opening spell, during which Jordon Ibe forced defender Kyle Bartley to clear against his own post, the hosts soon ran out of steam and did not have an effort on target until the 52nd minute, when Ibe's tame shot was saved by Lukas Fabianski.

Jurgen Klopp could not watch as James Milner struck the match-winning penalty

In truth, they were grateful to referee's assistant Simon Beck for the decisive moment when he awarded a penalty as Taylor blocked an Ibe cross with his arm.

Milner lifted the spot-kick high into the net to give Liverpool a sixth win in seven games in all competitions, which lifted them up to sixth in the table.

With former captain Steven Gerrard watching from the stands, perhaps the biggest plusses Liverpool fans can take from the win are the returns of Henderson and Daniel Sturridge.

Henderson - missing with a broken foot since the second game of the season in August - was handed the armband when he came on for the final 25 minutes, while Sturridge had a 19-minute run out for his first appearance since Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers in October.

Monk under increasing pressure?

Garry Monk said his side were 'excellent' but only three of his players had an average position inside the Liverpool half. Wayne Routledge (15) was the furthest forward.

If Liverpool looked uninspiring in attack, Swansea's failure to test Simon Mignolet at all will give manager Monk plenty to ponder.

More worryingly it was the second time in the last three Premier League matches that Swansea failed to hit a single effort on target - also registering no attempts in the 1-0 defeat at Norwich.

Monk - who took charge in February 2014 - guided Swansea to their highest Premier League finish of eighth last season.

Liverpool 1-0 Swansea: Monk 'gutted' by 'soft' penalty

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Swansea boss Monk "gutted" by "soft" penalty

When they beat Manchester United at the end of August the Swans were in fourth but they have won only once since, scoring seven goals in 10 matches.

Monk can point to a harsh handball decision which settled the game but, in attack, his side offered precious little threat.

Centre-forward Eder was often isolated and replacement Bafetimbi Gomis has lost the spark which saw him score in each of the opening four games of the season.

With testing games against Leicester and Manchester City to come a four-point gap to the relegation zone is a real concern.

'Difficult circumstances'

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told BSports: "It was really difficult for both teams, the wind was in the stadium more than the stands.

"Swansea defended very well. They had some problems in the last few games but they were more compact. I am proud of the lads. It is a good result in difficult circumstances."

Man of the match - Emre Can

Emre Can (right) was at the heart of Liverpool's bright start in midfield and had the most touches (99) of any Liverpool player.

What next?

Liverpool face a trip to Southampton on Wednesday for a League Cup quarter-final, before facing Newcastle at St James' Park next Sunday.

Life does not get easier for Swansea as they host Jamie Vardy's Leicester next Saturday, and then travel to leaders Manchester City the week after.

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (6)

Liverpool

22 Mignolet Booked
02 Clyne
37 Skrtel Booked
06 Lovren
18 Moreno
07 Milner Booked
23 Can
20 Lallana
33 Ibe (K Touré - 95' )
09 Benteke (Sturridge - 71' )
11 Firmino (Henderson - 64' )

Substitutes

04 K Touré
14 Henderson
15 Sturridge
24 Allen
27 Origi
34 Bogdan
56 Randall

Swansea City

01 Fabianski
26 Naughton
27 Bartley Booked
06 Williams
03 Taylor
07 Britton (Cork - 65' )
04 Ki Sung-yueng
15 Routledge (Montero - 72' )
23 Sigurdsson
10 Ayew
17 Éder (Gomis - 69' )

Substitutes

13 Nordfeldt
18 Gomis
20 Montero
21 Grimes
22 Rangel
24 Cork
33 Fernandez

Ref: Anthony Taylor

Att: 43,905

Match Stats

Possession 54 46

Shots

10 8

On target

2 0

Corners

8 7

Fouls

12 6

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Liverpool 1, Swansea City 0.

90:00 +5:29 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Liverpool 1, Swansea City 0.

90:00 +5:01

Corner, Swansea City. Conceded by Kolo Touré.

90:00 +4:40

Foul by James Milner (Liverpool).

90:00 +4:40

Kyle Naughton (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90:00 +4:01 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Liverpool. Kolo Touré replaces Jordon Ibe.

90:00 +2:56 Booking

Booking Simon Mignolet (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card.

90:00 +1:51

Corner, Swansea City. Conceded by Emre Can.

90:00 +1:50

Attempt blocked. Bafétimbi Gomis (Swansea City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ashley Williams.