EPL: Liverpool v Swansea City preview
Liverpool v Swansea City preview
Swansea worked hard to earn a point against Crystal Palace on Saturday, but their bid to scramble off the foot of the Premier League table doesn't get any easier as they travel to Anfield on Boxing Day.
Liverpool will have the extra day's rest following their barnstorming 3-3 draw with Arsenal on Friday Night Football - a result which extended their unbeaten league run to 10 games - but given the tight battle that is building for the Champions League spots behind Manchester City, this is a must-win game for Jurgen Klopp's side.
The German admitted to Liverpool's "obvious problems" in defence after their implosion at the Emirates, although shot-shy Swansea are unlikely to pose the attacking threat of the Gunners.
In the other dugout, Leon Britton is set to take charge of his second game as temporary boss, having reiterated after the 1-1 draw with Palace that he has no interest in taking the job full-time.
"The fans have been great with me, as player or manager, you could hear them being very vocal which I appreciate, but in terms of the job, nothing has changed and I'm not looking for the job full time," he said.
"They need to make the right decision, make sure it's clear what they want, whether that's before Liverpool, after Liverpool or in January. They have to make sure they take their time and get the right man."
Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson will sit out the game at Anfield after injuring his right hamstring early in the draw with Arsenal and has been ruled out by Klopp.
However, Liverpool's boss insisted that while a few knocks were sustained against the Gunners, no others players were expected to miss out against the Swans.
Kyle Naughton has joined the Swansea casualty list after suffering a groin injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, with Angel Rangel set to deputise.
Watch a preview of Boxing Day's Premier League games including Tottenham v Southampton and Liverpool v Swansea
Swansea are already without Wilfried Bony (hamstring), Ki Sung-yueng (calf) and Kyle Bartley (knee ligaments), while Leroy Fer (back) will be assessed on Christmas Day.
The German admitted to Liverpool's "obvious problems" in defence after their implosion at the Emirates, although shot-shy Swansea are unlikely to pose the attacking threat of the Gunners.
In the other dugout, Leon Britton is set to take charge of his second game as temporary boss, having reiterated after the 1-1 draw with Palace that he has no interest in taking the job full-time.
"The fans have been great with me, as player or manager, you could hear them being very vocal which I appreciate, but in terms of the job, nothing has changed and I'm not looking for the job full time," he said.
"They need to make the right decision, make sure it's clear what they want, whether that's before Liverpool, after Liverpool or in January. They have to make sure they take their time and get the right man."
Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson will sit out the game at Anfield after injuring his right hamstring early in the draw with Arsenal and has been ruled out by Klopp.
However, Liverpool's boss insisted that while a few knocks were sustained against the Gunners, no others players were expected to miss out against the Swans.
Kyle Naughton has joined the Swansea casualty list after suffering a groin injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, with Angel Rangel set to deputise.
Watch a preview of Boxing Day's Premier League games including Tottenham v Southampton and Liverpool v Swansea
Swansea are already without Wilfried Bony (hamstring), Ki Sung-yueng (calf) and Kyle Bartley (knee ligaments), while Leroy Fer (back) will be assessed on Christmas Day.