Swansea City v Liverpool: Matchday blog
Liverpool's 18-match unbeaten run is ended by Swansea City, who claim a 1-0 win over the Reds at the Liberty Stadium courtesy of Alfie Mawson's first-half strike.
Full Time
Reds beaten at the Liberty
Liverpool's undefeated streak is over after 18 matches as they're beaten 1-0 by Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.
The Reds fell behind to Alfie Mawson's first-half strike and couldn't conjure up a response as the hosts clinch three points.
Chance!
Firmino hits the post with a header!
Salah finds an inch of space in the box from Lallana's pass, but rifles wide of the near post.
The ball drops for Can inside the area, but he can't connect properly under pressure and sends it high over the crossbar.
Four minutes of added time to be played...
Van Dijk cracks a half-volley towards goal from Firmino's acrobatic pull-back, but his effort from 20 yards rises too high and doesn't test Fabianski.
Gomez regains the ball deep and strides forward towards the corner of the box before drilling wide.
Substitution
Ayew goes off for the hosts, Bony comes on.
Chance
Ings wriggles into space and shoots across goal, but Fabianski is able to claim.
Substitution
Second change for the Reds - Ings is on for Wijnaldum.
Liverpool open up Swansea with a slick series of passes, but Matip hammers wide from the edge of the box.
Can motors into space but his left-footer is too high.
Substitution
Liverpool make a change and Oxalde-Chamberlain makes way for Lallana.
Substitution
Swansea change - Carroll on, Dyer off.
Chance!
Salah's free-kick from 20 yards is tipped over the bar by Fabianski.
Now Salah has an effort deflected over the bar. Liverpool pushing now.
Salah almost slides Firmino through on goal, but it's a fraction too far in front of the Brazilian, allowing Fabianski to collect.
Robertson slides a low ball across the face of goal but it's just a touch too far in front of Can and he can't reach it to turn it in.
Firmino lays it off for Robertson inside the box, but he's denied a clear shot at goal by Van der Hoorn's challenge.
Salah bundles his way into space on the edge of the area, but his right-footer bounces harmlessly wide of the post.
The second half has continued where the first left off. Liverpool needing a moment of inspiration to open up Swansea, here.
Kick-Off
Back under way...
Come on you Reds!
The first half in numbers...
Half-time odds...
Here's how BetVictor see the betting at the break...
Swansea City: 11/5
Draw: 19/10
Liverpool: 29/20
Fancy a flutter? Click here to place a bet now.
Half Time
Reds trail at the break
Alfie Mawson's goal means Swansea hold a 1-0 lead over Liverpool at the interval.
Chance!
Liverpool spring a counter-attack and Firmino sends Salah speeding away down the left. His ball into the box is met by the unmarked Mane, but he can't direct his volley into the net on the stretch and Swansea are relieved to see it go wide.
Yellow Card
Now Joel Matip sees yellow for a late challenge on Clucas.
Yellow Card
Andy Robertson goes into the book for a foul on Ayew.
Goal
Goal for Swansea - Mawson
It's been all Liverpool so far, but Swansea hit with a suckerpunch as Mawson sweeps home a loose ball inside the box after Clucas' corner drops invitingly for him 15 yards out.
Matip bounds forward and causes havoc inside the Swansea box. The ball breaks for Oxlade-Chamberlain on the edge of the area, but his crisp drive is gathered by Fabianski.
Chance!
Liverpool craft the kind of opportunity for Salah that he normally buries.
However, he can only whack Van Dijk's loft forward over the crossbar after he struck it on the full volley after watching it come over his shoulder.
Chance
The game's first real chance falls to Van Dijk, who meets Oxlade-Chamberlain's corner with a glancing near-post header that bounces a foot wide.
A Swansea corner from the left by Ki is punched well clear by Karius.
Mane and Robertson combine down the left, resulting in the latter drilling a low cross into the six-yard box. Mawson tries to clear but thumps it against Firmino, though he's penalised for a handball.
It's been a faily tepid start here in Wales, but Mane has Swansea worried when he nips in to collect Can's ball over the top; however, he can't get it under control and Fabianski collects at his feet
Kick-Off
And we're off!
Come on you Reds!
A minute's applause is held ahead of kick-off in memory of football legends, Cyrille Regis and Jimmy Armfield.
A reminder of tonight's line-ups...
But first...
The LFC squad were happy to oblige when arriving at the Liberty Stadium earlier, posing for plenty of selfies with supporters.
Klopp on LFC team selection
Jürgen Klopp selected a starting line-up that must be 'difficult to play' against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.
Behind the closed door...
A glimpse inside the LFC dressing room at the Liberty Stadium.
TEAM NEWS
The teamsheet is in and it confirms one change for Liverpool as Virgil van Dijk returns to make his first Premier League start for the Reds. He replaces Dejan Lovren in the line-up, who misses out due to illness.
Emre Can skippers Jürgen Klopp’s men at the Liberty Stadium.
Liverpool: Karius, Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Can, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mane, Salah, Firmino.
Subs: Mignolet, Milner, Klavan, Lallana, Ings, Solanke, Alexander-Arnold.
The Reds are here...
Gini on the spot
Wijnaldum takes pre-match media duties at the Liberty Stadium.
Weather
WEATHER LATEST FROM SWANSEA
It's pleasantly mild at the Liberty Stadium, and not raining as it stands. Optimum conditions for reporting on a Premier League fixture for us - and decent for fans attending the game tonight, too.
As you were.
Team news coming soon...
We'll have the confirmed Liverpool XI for you, directly from behind this door, in one hour - at 7pm GMT.
Swansea’s captain Angel Rangel will miss tonight’s game due to injury, but he’s well aware of the threat Liverpool will pose to his teammates on the pitch.
He wrote in the matchday programme: “Playing them is not easy at the best of times – as we found out at Anfield last month – and they are full of confidence at the moment. They have just beaten Manchester City too, and are looking to close the gap at the top of the table, so we cannot afford to lose our concentration for one second.
“We may be the underdogs but, if we can play like we did against Tottenham Hotspur in our last home game in the league, I think we will have the best possible chance of getting something out of the game.”
View from the opposition...
Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal, writing in his official matchday programme notes: “We know that it will be a very difficult game but, hopefully, we can build on our recent momentum by achieving a positive result here.
“They are full of confidence at the moment after beating Manchester City last week and have now won their last five matches in the Premier League.
“But it is down to us to stop them and getting a good result here would give us so much confidence as we try to move closer to safety in the table.”
The stage...
...consider it set.
Odds on
Swansea City 11/1
Draw 19/4
Liverpool 3/10
That's how BETVICTOR rate the two teams' chances tonight. Click here to place your bet now.
Flashback
It wasn't long ago at all that the Reds did this to Swansea...
The view from Swansea
"Firmino has scored five goals in his last three appearances against us, so he won’t be overly welcome on Monday."
An enjoyable edition of 'The view from...' with Swans fan Jack Davies, who throws the phrase "seafood hierarchy" about with admirable nonchalance.
Inside Training
See how the lads warmed up for tonight's games with our behind-the-scenes clip from Melwood below.
Stats all, folks
Roberto Firmino could become the first Liverpool player to score in four successive meetings with Swansea City if he finds the back of the net tonight.
That's the real quiz
Ahead of tonight's game, test your knowledge of all things Liverpool/Swansea with our quick quiz.
Weather
A look to the skies
Heading to Swansea for this evening's game? Here's how we're looking weather-wise...
Those in the know expect temperatures of around eight degrees celsius come kick-off, with a 14 per cent chance of rain.
Karius' view
"We have to put our heads down and keep working hard and make sure we stay consistent until the end of the season."
Wise words from Liverpool's No.1 ahead of today's game. Click here to read more.
Team news
Virgil van Dijk is in contention to make his Premier League debut for Liverpool against Swansea City on Monday night after returning to training this week following a hamstring complaint.
More on the Dutchman and the likely make up of tonight's squad here.
The warm-up
Liverpool's first-team squad have been spotted using the facilities of Welsh second-tier outfit Port Talbot Town FC this morning.
Jürgen Klopp's players took part in a light session in preparation for this evening's clash with the Swans.
Last time out
The Reds made it 18 games unbeaten as they defeated Manchester City in an unforgettable Premier League fixture at Anfield eight days ago.
Get warmed up for tonight by reliving that contest from a different angle with the latest 'Inside Anfield' feature below.
#MyLFCMatchdayImage
Another belter!
And we're off
Hello and welcome to our live matchday blog for Liverpool's meeting with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium this evening.
We'll be bringing you all the build-up, team news as soon as it lands, all the action, and the best reaction from the players and manager at full-time in south Wales.
Don't miss a kick - stick with us!