Will it be Swans to the slaughter?

AS the only team in the Premiership with a 100% winning record, we have to approach tonight’s game against Swansea with renewed and deserved confidence.

Not to undermine the challenge ahead: the Swans are a solid team with a good manager looking to kick start a somewhat faltering season so far. Their record of one win and two defeats sees them languishing in the relegation zone but of course it is early days. Of greater concern though for Swansea fans is the depressing fact they have won none and lost four of their last six league home games.

Not a good time to be coming up against a team that defeated the defending champions in their last match and have recently landed both Manager and Player of the Month awards for August. Swansea’s best hope for a result on Monday night may in fact be in praying the old MOTM/POTM curse strikes again as has happened too many times to recall. The awards were a justified reward for the superb start made by the Redmen and I was particularly pleased with Rodgers’ recognition as the gaffer has taken a bit of stick during his time in the Anfield dugout.

The great thing about the start made this season is although performances have been solid in so many ways they have not been perfect and the team can improve and become even better. With Luis Suarez’ return now two matches away and the new signings still to be fully integrated the future looks real rosy for the Reds and for once those words are genuinely not said through a tinted view of any description. Already breaking records (never before has a top-flight team started with three 1-0 wins courtesy of the same goal-scorer) this team has the potential to grow a lot further which is as exciting as it can get.

Against United one thing I really admired was the way we performed with and, almost as important, without the ball. The Reds looked organised and committed to closing down the opposition which limited the attacking threat United could build and made Robin van Persie a mere spectator for large parts of the games. Not many teams can restrict top quality players like we were able to and the frustration for the Red Devils was clear and beautiful to see continuously throughout the match.

When in possession we looked comfortable and coordinated with players knowing their position and playing their role as required. Rodgers’ renowned high-tempo passing game is starting to materialise on the pitch and in all three games so far the boys have looked impressive for long periods in possession. There were times we got caught on the ball and maybe took one chance too many when attempting to play out of the defence. High-tempo doesn’t automatically equal high-risk but there is a certain unavoidable risk element in the style of play we now adopt so expect many more hold your breath heart-stopping moments this season!

I am really looking forward to an entertaining match against Swansea with both sides playing the game in the right spirit to the satisfaction of all football purists out there. However the increased confidence, ability and firepower from the Reds should see us over the line with the right result. Is it too much to expect another Sturridge goal? Somehow I think not. Dan would have been disappointed despite the media reports of otherwise not to have featured for England so should come out firing on all cylinders so long as that troublesome thigh holds out.

A victory will be our 400^th win in the Premier League but almost more importantly will return us to the summit of the table. I know it’s only been a couple of days but I’ve started to miss sitting at the top already.

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