Blog: Let's keep our form going against Swansea

It was a glorious evening last Saturday for Liverpool as we coasted to a magnificent 4-1 win over Premier League title favourites Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. This was the best performance from the Reds this season – even better than our win against Chelsea, simply for the nature of our victory.

The players exuded great confidence throughout, playing with a fierce intensity that unsettled Manuel Pellegrini’s side from the get-go. What was billed to be a tight contest was completely blown out of the water almost immediately, and our constant pressing off the ball and acceleration with it proved a fatal combination for the home side.

Defensively, we were immaculate; Martin Skrtel has been an inspiration at the back of late and he continued in that vein, capping off an impeccable display with the best strike of the game to re-establish our three-goal lead late on. Dejan Lovren was also impressive and the sight of him suffering from cramp towards the end of the game proved just how much of a committed performance he gave.

But perhaps the most encouraging spectacle was the burgeoning relationship between Brazilians Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino. The duo combined magnificently for our second and third goals, scored by the duo respectively, and all throughout the game.

Firmino, playing as a false nine, began to fully tap into the talent that persuaded the club to sign him in the summer, getting the better of the hosts’ back four on many occasions. His performance as the lone striker also shows that, in Daniel Sturridge’s absence, we have two solid options at the top of the pitch, in addition to Christian Benteke.

The result, particularly after defeat last time out to Crystal Palace, provided the greatest evidence yet that Jürgen Klopp’s impact on Merseyside has been immediate, decisive and overwhelmingly positive. This is not the same Reds team that the German first encountered and in such a short space of time, he has significantly changed his side’s fortunes.

The 2-1 victory over Bordeaux in the Europa League on Thursday will have also strengthened the new-found confidence Klopp has instilled. That we were able to come back from 1-0 down to win the game represented perseverance and an attitude of never folding until the final whistle that has become a hallmark for Klopp’s Liverpool.

James Milner took his equalising penalty greatly while Benteke showed his worth with a top-drawer finish to grab what would be the winning goal, meaning that the victory over Manchester City and progression into the last 32 of the Europa League caps off a great week for the club. Benteke had a brilliant game, showing teammate Firmino that he will be a challenge to compete with in the lone striker role.

It is now imperative that we continue in this vein of form, starting against Swansea City at Anfield on Sunday. The Swans have not had the best fortune as of late, taking just six points from their last nine Premier League games. We must not take the Welsh side lightly, however, as they possess great talent within their ranks.

Containing the tenacious Andre Ayew, arguably the bargain of the season so far, will give us a great advantage in the contest, and it will nullify much of Swansea’s synergy going forward. Meanwhile, should Bafetimbi Gomis be included in Garry Monk’s starting XI, he will prove a sturdy test for Skrtel and co, in what would be an intriguing physical battle.

Klopp has already shown that his side can go up against some of the league’s giants and grab impressive wins, and translating the level of last weekend’s performance to these matches will be equally important to our hopes of moving further up the table.

For more Liverpool fan views or to join the conversation, visit www.90min.com.