Bafetimbi Gomis should be available for Swansea after collapsing during the 3-2 defeat at Tottenham on March 4. Gomis suffers from a vasovagal condition which causes low blood pressure and prompts fainting episodes, but he returned to training on Wednesday after seeing a specialist in his native France and is expected to be given the all-clear to play at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea manager Garry Monk has a full-strength squad to select from other than central defender Kyle Bartley, who remains unavailable following knee surgery.
Captain Steven Gerrard is back in contention. The veteran midfielder, who is leaving for Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season, has missed the last seven games with a hamstring injury. Defenders Martin Skrtel (head) and Mamadou Sakho (hip) are expected to be fit but there could still be a doubt over midfielder Joe Allen (hip). Left-back Luis Enrique (knee) is back in training and could be back in contention soon.
MANAGER QUOTES
Garry Monk: “I”ve not spoken to Brendan about the game coming up – he has got his own things going on at Liverpool with different targets. He has moved on from us obviously and is doing exceptionally well at Liverpool, turning them around and making them a real force. But what he did for our club is fantastic and it’s the benchmark for us. Any manager who comes in – but especially for me, because I played under him and worked very closely with him – what he achieved is an inspiration and it’s an inspiration for me to try to get this side to 47 points. He did a great job for our club and if we can do the same or try to improve on it then great, that’s what you have to try to do as a manager.”
Brendan Rodgers: “It’s difficult to progress at this level without major investment because ultimately it’s about the quality of players you have. But Swansea is a club that’s super-organised and has a good structure, and there’s no doubt for me that they will continue to develop as they have done over the last decade. The next step will be to go on and play regular European football, and I firmly believe they will do that. The first three years in the Premier League are really about establishing yourself in the division. Swansea have done that — and they have become more than that already. They are an attractive proposition for any player or manager and I really think they will go on and get stronger.”
MATCH FACTS
There have been 21 goals in the last four Premier League games between Liverpool & Swansea.
Daniel Sturridge has scored four goals in three Premier League appearances for Liverpool against the Swans.
Brendan Rodgers was manager of Swansea City before leaving to join Liverpool in 2012. He won 12 of his 38 Premier League matches as boss of the Welsh side.
Swansea’s only victory over Liverpool in the Premier League came when Rodgers was boss of the Welsh side (W1 D3 L3) and he remains unbeaten in this fixture as a coach (W4 D3).
Jonjo Shelvey has netted in the last three league matches between Liverpool and Swansea as a Swans player, though the last of these was an own goal.
Adam Lallana has scored three goals in his last three Premier League games against Swansea.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have won more points in 2015 than any other Premier League team (23).
Liverpool have kept five clean sheets in a row away from home (in league competition) for the first time since 1985
Liverpool have lost just one of their last 16 Premier League matches (W11 D4 L1).
The Reds have kept six clean sheets in their last eight Premier League games.
FANTASY PICK
Adam Lallana: Likes to score against Swansea. Liverpool could do with a few more from him on this trip to the Liberty Stadium.
MATCH ODDS
Swansea (16/5), Draw (13/5), Liverpool (20/19)
source:eurosport.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 