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Matchday Preview: Swansea v LIVERPOOL

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Venue: Liberty Stadium

Date: 25/11/12

Kick-Off: 13:30

Brendan Rodgers will return to the Liberty Stadium on Sunday for the first time since leaving Swansea for Liverpool in the summer and the former Swans manager will hope to lead the Reds to victory on a ground where his old side beat Liverpool 1-0 last season.

Danny Graham scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory for Swansea in May – a game that turned out to be Kenny Dalglish’s last as Liverpool manager. The former Watford striker has managed just one league goal so far this season, having been outshone by Spanish attacking midfielder Michu. The former Rayo Vallecano player, who signed for Swansea in the summer, has scored seven league goals since his arrival – three fewer than Liverpool’s top scorer, Luis Suarez. Swansea captain Ashley Williams launched a scathing attack on Suarez in his autobiography, saying that Suarez’s manner and behaviour made him want to knock Suarez out, but Joe Allen warned his former teammate that his comments could give the Uruguayan extra motivation on Sunday.

After making six changes for the 2-2 draw at home to Young Boys in midweek, Rodgers will expect to recall the likes of Allen, Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger, who were rested for the Europa League tie. Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez and Jose Enrique will expect to move from the bench back into the starting XI, while Andre Wisdom should be available despite picking up a knock on Thursday. Liverpool were boosted by Lucas Leiva playing an hour in Friday’s U21 clash with Middlesbrough and though the Brazilian midfielder is still short of match fitness, Rodgers expects Lucas to return to first-team action in early September.

Swansea pair Ki Sung-Yueng and Kyle Bartley should return against Liverpool after recovering from respective hamstring and thigh injuries, while Danny Graham, Ben Davies and Luke Moore should be available for the home side despite recent illnesses.

After beating Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield in the Capital One Cup last month, Swansea are unbeaten in their last three games against the Reds. However the Swans have won just one of their last five home games in the Premier League and have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last ten league fixtures. Swansea will be confident of getting a result against the Reds if they can stop Suarez from scoring, but if Liverpool’s number 7 finds the back of the net he will equal his best ever tally for a season in the Premier League.

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