BBC pundit John Hartson criticises Liverpool after Swansea defeat

After a corner was whipped dangerously into the Liverpool box from the right, Virgil Van Dijk’s disappointing header bounced off Swans’ stopper Federico Fernandez, before being rifled home by central defensive partner Alfie Mawson.

Set up to frustrate, Swansea held on to their lead for the rest of the match, keeping Liverpool’s front three at bay to earn a vital three points.

“They are bottom of the table but they are in a good way”.

Swansea City manager Carlos Carvalhal is hoping his side can pull off a giant-killing tonight.

Brought in to replace Paul Clement with Swansea already seeming destined for relegation, Carvalhal’s appointment has breathed new life into the Welsh side.

Jürgen Klopp’s rotation policy has served Liverpool well as they have successfully negotiated an avalanche of games without dropping their performance levels, which shows how deep their squad is.

Klopp, though, admits his team got what they deserved. The defeat was only their third in the league all season, and keeps them fourth, two points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham.

The Reds dominated possession in the early stages of the first half but the Swans defence remained resolute to deny the visitors an early goal.

Swansea stayed in last place but are tied on 20 points with West Bromwich Albion, three off safety.

Alfie Mawson swept home Swansea’s 40th-minute victor following a poor headed clearance from Liverpool’s £75million record signing Virgil van Dijk, but it was a miserable night for Klopp who was involved in an angry exchange of words with a Swansea fan in the second half.

Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal insisted his side’s stoic defensive performance made Liverpool resemble a Formula One vehicle stuck in London traffic after the Swans gave their bid for Premier League survival a major boost. Jürgen Klopp’s team have scored the most away goals in the Premier League this season.

Jurgen Klopp has lost three Premier League games against Swansea, more than he has vs any other opponent in the competition.

Liverpool will be strong favorites to win this game.

Liverpool travelled to south Wales following a stunning 4-3 triumph over Premier League leaders Manchester City, but they came unstuck against the division’s bottom side. In the last five games, Swansea City has won two games, lost one game and drawn two games whereas Liverpool has won all the five games.

Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino nearly equalised just before the final whistle but his header came back off the post, and Adam Lallana’s shot on the rebound was deflected wide.

They also came up against a goalkeeper at the top of his game in Swansea’s Polish number one Lukasz Fabianski.

Liverpool had 21 shots at goal, but only four landed on target.