Liverpool v Swansea: Reds can secure businesslike victory

Liverpool v Swansea City
Boxing Day, 17:30
Live on Sky Sports Premier League

Reds out to forget Emirates frustration

On the face of it, an away draw against top-six rivals is not a disastrous result. Given how rampant Arsenal were for that brief second-half spell at the Emirates, Liverpool did well to steady the ship and secure a point. Still, there was a huge sense of opportunity missedgiven how dominant the Reds had been in the first half.

Mohamed Salah may have scored one and laid on another, but he squandered two more glorious chances. Sadio Mané was also wasteful and Roberto Firmino probably ought to have netted more than once. And when you're Liverpool, there's always a chance that that kind of profligacy will come back to haunt you.

Jürgen Klopp will hope to take his frustration out on Swansea, which could discourage him from rotating. Jordan Henderson will miss out after limping off on Friday night, so James Milner or Georginio Wijnaldum should come in.

Rudderless Swans in sticky spot

If Swansea were hoping for some kind of no-manager bounce after the sacking of Paul Clement, they were to be disappointed on Saturday. Leon Britton took up a new position in the dugout, but the performance and result against Crystal Palace were more of the same.

Rumours about possible full-time coaches continue to swirl, with Garry Monk, Roberto Martínez and Slaven Bilić seemingly in the running. Whichever direction the board decides to take, time is of the essence: a few more adverse results and the situation at the bottom of the Premier League table will start to look even bleaker.

Jordan Ayew, one of Clement's go-to attackers, was left out of the starting XI, but netted soon after stepping off the bench, salvaging a point for the Swans. The Ghanaian can probably expect to start in Boxing Day, in place of Luciano Narsingh or Nathan Dyer.

Liverpool short favourites

Liverpool are 1.19 favourites to land a knockout blow on Boxing Day, which seems about right given Swansea's woes. The Welsh side have won two of the last three league games between the sides but confidence is low and the are rank outsiders at 21.00

Visitors may not be blown away

Yet this might not be a rout: Liverpool's best attacking displays have come on the road and they have drawn three on the spin at Anfield. They will be desperate to make amends for Friday night, and should win, but it could be trickier than some expect.

Swansea have yet to lose by more than two goals away from home, and have only shipped three goals once. Liverpool to win and under 3.5 goals is the play at 11/10.

Firmino the man to watch

Roberto Firmino has been in handy form recently and has a fine record against Swansea: the Brazilian has three goals in three games against the Swans. He is 2.00 to notch.