James Milner's penalty secures Liverpool a fortunate win against Swansea

James Milner scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot as Liverpool scraped to a home victory over Swansea City on Sunday afternoon.

Milner made no mistake from 12 yards after Swans defender Neil Taylor had been harshly adjudged to have handled Jordon Ibe’s cross, delivering Jurgen Klopp’s side the three points just as fans inside Anfield were beginning to wonder if they would ever find a way to break the deadlock.

Liverpool dominated periods of the game but failed to turn that into territorial advantage into clear-cut chances, and after both sides failed to get a shot on target in the first half it always looked as if a set-piece might be the best chance of changing the game. As it was it ultimately turned out to be a day full of positives for the home side – as the three points coincided with returns to first-team action for both Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge.

Neither player made a significant impact on the contest, but merely seeing them both back on the pitch will be encouraging to fans – and Klopp, who will look back with fondness on a week that has seen his side clinch three wins, move up to sixth in the table and reach the next stage of the Europa League.

They had the best chances in this game, with Kyle Bartley nearly putting into his own net in the first-half as he deflected Ibe’s ball past his own goalkeeper and off the far post. Beyond that it was a game of few obvious openings, however, with Swansea doing well to intervene before Liverpool’s attackers could find a final ball into the box.

There was not the same electric counter-attacking that we have seen in some of Liverpool’s away performances under Klopp, but it was a solid display against an opponent daring them to try and break them down.

They needed luck to do it, but got the three points in the end. Klopp – who could not bear to watch Milner’s penalty – will be satisfied with that, no doubt arguing that as long as the results are coming the team can work on the performances later.

Swansea, meanwhile, remain just four points above the relegation zone.

6' - OFF THE POST! What a lucky escape for Swansea! Liverpool slice apart the visitors and Ibe ends up with a clear run on goal. He cuts across Bartley and the defender gets a toe on it ... but his interception runs past the goalkeeper and cannons away off the woodwork! Nearly a remarkable own goal!

21' - CLOSE AGAIN! Liverpool playing some nice stuff on occasions here. Ibe and Clyne combine nicely down the right before playing in Lallana, but Bartley gets across brilliantly to block a shot that looked goalbound.

41' - CHANCE FOR LIVERPOOL! Benteke is fouled by Bartley on the edge of the box, and now the home side have an inviting chance to curl a shot on target... but Moreno wastes it.

62' - PENALTY! This might be dubious. Ibe plays a ball into the box that appears to hit Taylor on the arm, and the linesman immediately flags. The referee initially ignores him, but then changes his mind!

63' - GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 SWANSEA! Milner goes down the middle, and the hosts have the lead!

71' - STURRIDGE RETURNS! The striker replaces Benteke, minutes after Jordan Henderson is introduced.

74' - GOOD CHANCE! Milner has a shot but it flashes across goal, and Sturridge cannot get a touch on it at the far post.

Liverpool remain unbeaten in all league home matches (15) against Swansea City (W12-D3).

Was it a penalty? It’s probably not even a talking point – the answer is surely no. Taylor raised his arms as he jumped to block Ibe’s cross but he was not looking at the ball when it hit him, and he certainly could not have known much about it.

The assistant flagged instantly but the referee needed longer to make his mind up – perhaps he was swayed by the insistence of the home fans. Liverpool will not complain, however, as it was just the sort of decision that allowed them to grab a home win.

Emre Can (Liverpool): Playing in the anchor role between defence and midfield, Can was a robust presence throughout for the hosts – regularly breaking up Swansea attacks and starting dangerous moves for his own side. A couple of his passes showed that his range of attributes extend beyond the combative – under Klopp it is clear the German could thrive as a linchpin of the side.

Liverpool: Mignolet 6, Clyne 6, Skrtel 6, Lovren 6, Moreno 6, Can 7, Milner 7, Lallana 7, Ibe 6, Firmino 6, Benteke 6.

Swansea: Fabianski 6, Naughton 6, Bartley 7, Williams 7, Taylor 6, Britton 6, Ki Sung-Yueng 7, Sigurdsson 5, Routledge 6, Ayew 6, Éder 5.