Monday 16 September 2013

Brendan Rodgers and Michael Laudrup: Liverpool meet Swansea on Monday ... - SkySports

Brendan Rodgers and Michael Laudrup: Liverpool meet Swansea on Monday Night Football

Brendan Rodgers and Michael Laudrup: Liverpool meet Swansea on Monday Night Football

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers takes on his former club Swansea on Monday Night Football looking to extend the Reds' 100 per cent start to the new season.

Successive 1-0 victories over Stoke, Aston Villa and Manchester United - secured thanks to Daniel Sturridge's goals and Simon Mignolet's excellence - have raised expectations on Merseyside and another three-point haul will return the Anfield outfit to the top of the table.

Rodgers experienced mixed fortunes against his former club last term, suffering a 3-1 defeat in the Capital One Cup, drawing 0-0 at the Liberty Stadium and then enjoying a 5-0 Anfield romp in February when the Swans had one eye on Wembley.

Michael Laudrup's men faced a tough opening to the new term, with clashes against Manchester United and Tottenham leaving them with nothing to show, before they claimed their first points of the new season with a 2-0 success at West Brom prior to the international break.

The Swans have struggled in front of their own fans in recent times, with just two points to show from their last six games at the Liberty Stadium, with their season fizzling out last term following their Capital One Cup triumph.

Monday's game will be a personal landmark for Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard as he leads the club out for the 400th time in his professional career, with the Anfield outfit also one win away from their 400th Premier League success.

Jamie Redknapp looks ahead to the Premier League clash between Swansea and Liverpool.

Paul Merson's prediction:

Liverpool are still well short of being title contenders, but they've done well so far. If they score first against almost anybody I don't see them losing too many games because they'll rarely let in two goals. However, I do see them losing if they concede early.

Swansea are one of those team who will test them. Brendan Rodgers' players are still getting used to the patient style and I think this will be a draw - and that's a good result for Liverpool because this is a hard place to go.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1

Swansea  Badge Swansea

Swansea manager Laudrup has an almost fully-fit squad to choose from the visit of the club's former boss.

Full-back Neil Taylor is the only definite absentee as the Wales international remains on the sidelines with a thigh injury.

Deadline-day signing Alvaro Vazquez could be handed the chance to make his Swansea debut in attack, while former Reds midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has overcome the thigh problem that kept him out of England Under 21 action.

Liverpool Badge Liverpool

In-form Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is likely be fit to face Swansea despite missing England's World Cup qualifiers with a thigh problem.

New signings Mamadou Sakho and Victor Moses are set for their first involvement in the squad after signing late in the transfer window.

Right-back Glen Johnson is sidelined for four to five weeks with an ankle injury so Andre Wisdom is set to deputise.

Previous game's starting line-ups

Team taken from Swansea City vs West Bromwich Albion (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 1st September 2013

Team taken from Liverpool vs Manchester United (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 1st September 2013


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