Liverpool edge Swansea to close gap on United

Liverpool closed the gap between themselves and fourth place Manchester United to just two points and stretched their unbeaten run to 13 league games after edging Swansea 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium.

The visitors rode their luck in the first half and had keeper Simon Mignolet to thank for keeping the scores level with a trio of fine saves.

And if they were fortunate to be level at the break, they enjoyed a slice of fortune with their winning goal as Jordi Amat’s defensive tackle rebounded off Jordan Henderson and over Lukasz Fabianski for his third league goal in as many games.

The result sets it up nicely for Sunday’s big Anfield showdown between Liverpool and Manchester United in the battle as the battle for the Champions League spot intensifies.

24’ – GOOD SAVE MIGNOLET: He flirts with giving away a penalty but a good stretch claws the ball away from the feet of Gomis.

31’ – ROUTLEDGE CLOSE: The winger plays a one-two with Gomis and drives a shot for the corner but it’s another good save from Mignolet diving to his right.

37’ – MIGNOLET SAVES LIVERPOOL AGAIN: Sigurdsson’s curling effort looks destined for the corner but Mignolet is at full stretch to tip away for a corner.

57’ – GOOD SAVE FABIANSKI: This time it’s the Swans keeper to the rescue as he denies Coutinho at his near post.

68’ – GOAL! Swansea 0-1 Liverpool: Henderson forges through the middle and gets a slice of luck as Jordi Amat’s clearance rebounds off him, over Fabianski and into the net.

90+4’ – STURRIDGE HITS POST: He latches onto Henderson’s ball and turns Amat but his shot comes back off the far post.

Liverpool have kept six clean sheets in a row away from home (in league competition) for the first time since 1985.

Jordan Henderson scored in his third PL match in a row after failing to score in the division in his previous 11 matches.

Liverpool have lost just one of their last 17 Premier League matches (W12 D4 L1).

Gylfi Sigurdsson made his 100th appearance in the Premier League (Tottenham Hotspur 58 and Swansea City 42).

All eyes now on Sunday's match between Liverpool and Manchester United. The Reds weren’t at their best against Swansea but on their current run of results, and with an Anfield home crowd behind them, United are in for a real test.

Simon Mignolet (Liverpool): One of his better matches between the sticks this season and Liverpool owe him a debt of thanks for this victory.

Swansea City: Fabianski 6, Naughton 6, Amat 6, Williams 7, Taylor 7, Ki 6, Cork 6, Shelvey 6, Sigurdsson 6, Routledge 7, Gomis 6.

SUBS: Dyer 6, Emnes 6, Montero 6.

Liverpool: Mignolet 8, Can 6, Skrtel 7, Sakho , Allen 6, Henderson 7, Lallana 6, Moreno 6, Coutinho 6, Sterling 7, Sturridge 6.

SUBS: Johnson 6, Gerrard 6.

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