[PL] Swansea (A): Post Match

[Fredo]

I can see a midfield trio of Lucas, Can and Henderson being the platform to a great second half of the season. We missed Coutinho's intricate play and a wee touch of pace, but three points is three points. It does raise question marks, for me, as to Benteke's suitability to Klopp's future plans, but I hope these niggles are unfounded. Good performances across the back four.

I think some proper width and a threat from the flanks to stretch the game when the opposition are set up well would certainly be welcomed in the January transfer window.

Benteke would not be first choice if Sturridge can stay fit. Most players would be his understudy anyway. But to be fair to Benteke, he needs more game time. Some of his play is promising but obviously the whole of our attacking third seems to be a constant work in progress.

[frank the tank]

This weekends results are brilliant. Only Man City above us got 3 points this weekend!!!

Southampton in the league cup will be an interesting test. I wonder what team he will put out for that.....

Our next 5 league fixtures will be very interesting though....newcastle, brom, watford, leicester and sunderland. We have good chance to make hay....

[Fredo]

This weekends results are brilliant. Only Man City above us got 3 points this weekend!!!

Southampton in the league cup will be an interesting test. I wonder what team he will put out for that.....

Our next 5 league fixtures will be very interesting though....newcastle, brom, watford, leicester and sunderland. We have good chance to make hay....

They will all be difficult games.

[Fosterbloke]

Only one other team in the league that's won their last two matches...

[Assassin]

This weekends results are brilliant. Only Man City above us got 3 points this weekend!!!

Southampton in the league cup will be an interesting test. I wonder what team he will put out for that.....

Our next 5 league fixtures will be very interesting though....newcastle, brom, watford, leicester and sunderland. We have good chance to make hay....

Nothing easy here. Many of these teams already trying to avoid relegation

[RichC]

Mobility up top was missing for me, I think with Sturridge or a striker of similar Ilk that can stay fit will make a massive difference.

We're certainly a more resolute side under Klopp but need to learn how to break sides down that come to play like Swansea.

Anyway, a tough 3 points taken and we've made up points on pretty much everyone above us.

It's been a bloody good 7 days

[fidget]

Happy with the win - we'd have lost that one a couple of months ago.
Everyone putting a proper shift in really helps.

[RichC]

Happy with the win - we'd have lost that one a couple of months ago.
Everyone putting a proper shift in really helps.

[redmike65]

Happy with the win - we'd have lost that one a couple of months ago.
Everyone putting a proper shift in really helps.

Nah it would have been a 1-1, we had so many of them it was beyond statistical fluke.

Benteke has to become plan B pretty quickly - Firmino simply can't play link up football with such a "slow" striker - him, Coutinho and a fit sharp Sturridge plus Hendo and one of Lallana/Ibe buzzing around will be much more like it.

[G]

Apart from 30 minutes in the first half we looked clueless but a win is a win and much like United keep getting them while being poor we must too. Great to see Hendo and Studge back and I think that was Can's best game for us. He's really growing into our midfield. Great weekend for us with all of the other top 4 contenders bar City dropping points. Benteke looked a big lumbering oaf with terrible first touch. Hope that's a one off.

[Bender]

[ame]https://twitter.com/thisisanfield/status/671035256917639168[/ame]

[Fredo]

Nah it would have been a 1-1, we had so many of them it was beyond statistical fluke.

Benteke has to become plan B pretty quickly - Firmino simply can't play link up football with such a "slow" striker - him, Coutinho and a fit sharp Sturridge plus Hendo and one of Lallana/Ibe buzzing around will be much more like it.

Benteke is not slow. He needs more games but obviously if Klopp prefers one striker up top, Sturridge will be the one who's gonna be first choice. But judging by his injury record over the past 2 years, Benteke may find himself first choice more often than not.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Echoing what others have already said, far from perfect with loads of room for improvement but closing the gap on 4th was really important. Also we've finally opened up a decent gap from Chelsea, 8 points now.

We've also managed to break a few mental blocks today.

1) Winning after a European game
2) Klopp's first home win in the league
3) Winning when all the teams around us drop points

[redmike65]

Benteke is not slow. He needs more games but obviously if Klopp prefers one striker up top, Sturridge will be the one who's gonna be first choice. But judging by his injury record over the past 2 years, Benteke may find himself first choice more often than not.

Slow as in "slow" rather than actually slow! I mean he is not able to react to quick one-twos, esp the round the corner type passes that players from Brazil are rather nifty at. Tiki-taka in the penalty area is just not his thing.

[Darkon]

Good win today, much needed 3 points. Perhaps not the best of performances, but it's all about the points right now.

Great weekend to get it with Spurs, Arsenal, United and Leicester all dropping 2 points.

6 points off first place having played Stoke, Arsenal, Man Utd, Everton, Spurs, Chelsea and City away already Doesn't leave a whole lot of 'difficult' fixtures for the spring on paper!