Browsing: Liverpool

Comprehensive victories over Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton hinted at things going in the right direction, but back-to-back defeats against Newcastle United and Watford – both without scoring – stopped their momentum in its tracks

The Reds have been victims of the unpredictable nature of this season, but while there have been substantial high points – such as comfortable away victories over the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton – the stats do not make for great reading

Jordon Ibe looked the most likely for Liverpool in the opening 45 minutes, as the youngster was twice thwarted by backpedaling defenders in one-on-one opportunities, with Swans keeper, Lukasz Fabianski Alberto Moreno, was presented with a decent opportunity to break the deadlock on the stroke of half time as Liverpool were awarded a free kick, but the Spanish full-back curled his effort over the bar

This season, though, Champions League qualification is the aim. As it stands, Liverpool sit six points adrift of the top four. Their home form remains suspect, with Klopp drawing one and losing one of his first two league games at Anfield, but surely that will fall into place

The visitors started the game brightly, and took the lead after just seven minutes when Philippe Coutinho won the ball off Bacary Sagna before releasing Roberto Firmino, who fired a low cross into the box which was touched into the net by City defender Eliaquim Mangala

The Reds appear to have turned a corner under Jurgen Klopp, drawing three and winning three, but the eccentric German still has plenty of work to do to turn his side into real top-four challengers