Liverpool vs Swansea City. Premier League.
AnfieldAttendance52,850.
Tuesday 26 December 2017 17:59, UK
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, live on Sky Sports Premier League.
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.
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.
Liverpool have lost two of their last three Premier League games against Swansea - including this exact fixture last season - having lost just one of the previous nine against them in the competition (W5 D3).
Swansea's 3-2 victory at Anfield last season was their only win in 16 total league visits there (D3 L12).
After the first three Premier League meetings between these sides produced just one goal, the following nine have seen 35 scored, at a rate of 3.9 per game (22 for Liverpool, 13 for Swansea).
The Reds haven't lost a home league game on Boxing Day since 1986 (0-1 vs Man Utd), winning seven and drawing three of their 10 at Anfield since then.
It was not the worst result in the world for Swansea on Saturday the way Palace have been playing (1-1), but I just think Liverpool are irresistible, are they not?
PAUL PREDICTS: 4-0 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
