

Following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Zenit on Thursday, yet again Liverpool fans have been left feeling hard done by. Everything seemed to be going okay in Russia until a wonderful strike from Hulk set Liverpool behind. It all could have and should have been different but Suarez and others have been left ruing missed opportunities.

Prior to the game I had said that I didn’t want us to play our “big players.” My theory was that the young players could have come away with something from the game. Unfortunately things didn’t pan out the way Liverpool wanted them to and now with Swansea looming, it seems fatigue will be a major factor.

When Sunday comes around it will have been 3 games in 6 days for some players. Obviously Liverpool’s squad isn’t as vast as fans would like and this will affect periods of games this close together. Losing to West Brom and Zenit is worrying because in those games our players should technically be fresher than they are going to be when facing Swansea. I can only hope that Swansea have one eye on the league cup final against Bradford.

Like I’ve said in the past, the Europa League is an obstacle in my opinion. Our progress in the league is going to be greatly affected by playing on Thursday nights. I just hope that Sundays match doesn’t prove that point.

A 2-0 deficit is not something that Liverpool should be phased by. After all, Liverpool are masters of comebacks in big European ties as we all know. I need not mention that particular night in 2005.

Sturridge will be back for the Swansea match so perhaps his energy up top will help the other players and make the midfielders jobs that bit easier with his excellent movement. The Swansea match will undoubtedly be difficult but no matter how unlucky we have been lately I still feel that we can beat anyone on our day. Fatigued or not Liverpool have enough quality to beat Swansea.

Carragher for me continues to impress and although he didn’t do much against Zenit, even his biggest critics would find it hard to shift blame towards him for anything during the game. There is an argument that since he has come back into the starting 11 we haven’t won a single match but that’s just coincidence. He has been great since his return and for me hes offering more than Martin Skrtel has of late.

A clean sheet is needed badly and I feel that we are due a good solid defensive performance. I think that every Red fan is sick of silly mistakes at the back. Set pieces need to be defended better but even still, I think we can out score Swansea if needs be.