Liverpool v Swansea - League Cup 2014

          This was always going to be a close game as it was between two similarly rated sides. That statement alone shows how much Liverpool and Swansea have changed. Liverpool have, for a while now, been struggling to compete with the top teams in the country, and achieve Champions league football, barring last season’s excellent campaign of course. But now that Champions league football is back at Anfield, they seem to be faltering, and Brendan Rodgers seems to be finding it hard to find a balance between coping in the league, as well as performing in Europe. He also has not been helped by the fact his big signings are not really stepping up to the plate, which could be the making of a very difficult season for Liverpool, but could they find some success in the League cup?
          The fact that they were evenly matched also shows how far Swansea have come. As much as I hate to admit it, being a Cardiff supporter, they have performed excellently in the Premier league, especially for a team that a few years ago, were ever so close to non-league football. They also won this cup two seasons ago, so could their experience of the competition be enough to fend off Liverpool?
          Given that we know these two sides can play classy football, I was expecting a match full of scoring opportunities, but I could not have been more wrong. At best, the first half was a dismal affair and the less said about it the better. It was one of those games where the fans must have been questioning their choice of going to the football.  There were very few chances for either team, and even when there were openings, they were squandered by the likes of Liverpool’s Markovic, and Swansea’s Emnes.
          Thankfully the second half was miles better, although conceivably, that was not a hard task. Straight from the off, Liverpool looked determined to make an impact, every attack had promise and it made for a far more entertaining cup tie. Swansea responded well however, and slightly against the run of play, took the lead. A superb first time volley from Marvin Emnes after a deflection looped the ball into the box and dropped over his shoulder. Once again, a team in all white taking the lead at Anfield.

          Liverpool could not afford this poor run of form to continue, Rodgers knew this, so he threw on Adam Lallana and Balotelli for some extra firepower, in hopes of at least forcing extra time. Liverpool needed something from somewhere and their equaliser came from the most unlikely source on the field. Mario Balotelli latched onto a cross and slotted home to get his first goal for The Reds, and give the Anfield faithful some hope. Just as extra time looked like a formality, Coutinho had a great chance but was hacked down by the Swansea centre-half Fernandez. An appalling tackle that saw him given his marching orders. Swansea down to ten men and only time for one last free kick. It was whipped in by Henderson and at the back post was the deadly Dejan Lovren. He headed home the cross past the helpless Tremmel to make it 2-1! Anfield was buzzing.

          An unbelievable end to the game after a very poor start. Two Liverpool players getting their first goals for the club with particular attention payed to Balotelli’s. Is this the breakthrough he needed to find that scoring touch or was that a one off, and will he go back to again not scoring in a run of games? Either way it will be interesting to see. Liverpool advance to the next round while Swansea will go home feeling they may have deserved more.