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Agence France-Presse

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp berated his side’s “passive” defending after a 3-2 loss at home to Swansea City dealt a major blow to their Premier League title hopes.
Relegation-threatened Swansea became the first away team to win a league fixture at Anfield for more than a year as Fernando Llorente scored twice on Saturday before Gylfi Sigurdsson struck the winner 16 minutes from time.
Once again Liverpool looked good going forward in a match where two Roberto Firmino goals saw the Reds recover from a 2-0 deficit.
But German manager Klopp was infuriated by the Merseysiders’ display at the other end of the pitch as they missed the chance to close to within four points of leaders Chelsea.

“We showed again that when we are on track, we are a strong side and can really create chances and score goals,” he said.
“But the defending around all three goals today was not good enough – 100 per cent. That’s a very important part of the game and it was very disappointing today.”
Swansea pull off sensational giant-killing act with win over Liverpool
Klopp was particularly unhappy with the slack marking from a Sigurdsson corner that left Llorente unattended to score Swansea’s opener.
“We lose the first challenge after the corner and I didn’t see how Llorente could be completely alone in the six-yard box and score the goal,” fumed Klopp. “It’s pretty difficult to overlook him, huh?”
Watch: Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp


As for Swansea’s winner, Klopp added: “There was nearly everything wrong around this goal. I think it started with a long ball that was not really a surprise. They played a few of these.
“We strolled back. We scored and we couldn’t switch to the defensive mode. That was the biggest mistake in this situation.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard returns to Anfield as academy coach
“We were passive. They took the opportunity. In the end, there was a Swansea player free in our box. That makes no sense.”
Swansea’s first league victory at Anfield was a huge boost in their battle to beat the drop.

New manager Paul Clement said he hoped Llorente, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea, will stay at the Liberty Stadium after arriving from Sevilla in August.
“I think his performance was very good,” said Clement, who was particularly impressed with the Spaniard’s hold-up play and ability to bring other Swansea players into the game.
Liverpool striker Divock Origi urges Reds to keep pressure on table-topping Chelsea
“If you get the right kind of service into him, he’s also a goalscorer. But you have to give him service. That can come from set-plays or from crosses.
“Am I afraid to lose him? I want to keep him here. And the reason I want to keep him here is what he showed today.”
Watch: Swansea City goalscorer Fernando Llorente


Swansea’s win was only their fifth in 22 Premier League games this season, but Clement believes they have the resolve to stay up.
“I think the mindset of the group, certainly since I’ve been here, has been that anything is possible,” he said.
“But our main objective is that we’re not going to look at the table, we’re not going to talk about how many wins we need, how many points we need. Let’s just focus on delivering some performances.”


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English Premier League

Juergen Klopp laments ‘passive’ Liverpool after Swansea City shock defeat

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp. Photo: Reuters

epa05738589 Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring the fourth goal making the score 2-2 during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Swansea City held at Anfield, Liverpool, Britain, 21 January 2017. EPA/PETER POWELL EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications

Britain Soccer Football - Liverpool v Swansea City - Premier League - Anfield - 21/1/17 Swansea City's Fernando Llorente celebrates scoring their second goal with Tom Carroll Action Images via Reuters / Ed Sykes Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Ben Woodburn becomes Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer as they reach League Cup semis

Liverpool's Ben Woodburn celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

epa05652650 Liverpool’s Divock Origi (CL) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring the opening goal during the EFL Cup quarter final soccer match between Liverpool and Leeds United held at Anfield, Liverpool, Britain, 29 November 2016. EPA/PETER POWELL

Britain Football Soccer - Liverpool v Leeds United - EFL Cup Quarter Final - Anfield - 29/11/16 Liverpool's Ben Woodburn and manager Juergen Klopp celebrate after the game Reuters / Phil Noble Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Build it, and they will come: Juergen Klopp creating something special at Liverpool, says Giorginio Wijnaldum

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp talks to Georginio Wijnaldum against Chelsea. Photo: Reuters

Britain Soccer Football - Liverpool v Leicester City - Premier League - Anfield - 10/9/16 Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez in action with Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum Reuters / Darren Staples Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Liverpool's Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (L) runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London on September 16, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. /

FA Cup round-up: Lucas sees Liverpool through in third round replay, Southampton squeeze past Norwich

Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva celebrates scoring the winner against Plymouth Argyle. Photo: Reuters

Football Soccer Britain - Southampton v Norwich City - FA Cup Third Round Replay - St Mary's Stadium - 18/1/17 Norwich City's Robbie Brady looks dejected Reuters / Toby Melville Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Football Soccer Britain - Southampton v Norwich City - FA Cup Third Round Replay - St Mary's Stadium - 18/1/17 Southampton's Shane Long celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Plymouth's English midfielder David Fox applauds supporters on the pitch after the English FA Cup third round replay football match between Plymouth Argyle and Liverpool at Home Park in Plymouth, south west England on January 18, 2017. Liverpool won the game 1-0. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Football Soccer Britain - Plymouth Argyle v Liverpool - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Home Park - 18/1/17 Plymouth Argyle's Yann Songo'o fouls Liverpool's Alberto Moreno resulting in a penalty Reuters / Dylan Martinez Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Fifa issue warning to Liverpool over Joel Matip selection after controversial AFCON snub

Fifa have warned Liverpool they could face punishment if they field Joel Matip while the AFCON is ongoing. Photo: AP

Sunderland's Jermain Defoe, left, and Liverpool's Joel Matip in action during their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield, Liverpool, England, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. (Dave Howarth/PA via AP)

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