Five-star Liverpool take Swansea apart

Liverpool put five goals past Swansea in the last Premier League match of Boxing Day.

The home side – who had scored only twice in their last three home league games – took just six minutes to register the first goal. Roberto Firmino did well to dispossess Andre Ayew around 30 yards out, before picking out Philippe Coutinho, who curled in a sublime right-footed shot from the edge of the area.

It was the Brazilian’s sixth league goal of the season and his 19th for Liverpool from outside the area.

Swansea enjoyed prolonged periods of possession, but mostly failed to pick out an isolated Oliver McBurnie, making his first Premier League start.

The first half was punctuated by poor decision making in the final third for Liverpool: Firmino squandered several chances by choosing to shoot from distance, while Mo Salah found himself surrounded by defenders in the area without an option on more than one occasion.

However, the floodgates opened for the Reds in the second half, as Firmino masterfully volleyed home a Coutinho free kick to double the advantage.

Trent Alexander-Arnold threatened on the right wing all afternoon, and registered his first Premier League goal after bullying his way past Alfie Mawson in the area to blast home a powerful finish.

Less than two minutes later, Salah seized upon a dreadful Leroy For backpass to set up an easy tap-in For Firmino. It was the Brazilian’s fifth goal against Swansea in four appearances.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain capped a dominant evening for the home side when he volleyed his first Premier League goal for Liverpool over Lukasz Fabianski.

The emphatic result put Liverpool back in the top four, while the Swans remain five points from safety at the foot of the table.

Before kick-off, Jurgen Klopp spoke of the importance of qualifying for the Champions League. Will the Reds be able to maintain the top-four position they cemented on Boxing Day? Which of the ‘top six’ sides will miss out?

Coutinho and Firmino were superb in this one, but the gong must go to the teenager who managed his first Premier League goal in a very robust performance. Alexander-Arnold delivered numerous dangerous crosses from the right and frequently exhibited intelligence way beyond his years.

Liverpool: Mignolet 7, Alexander-Arnold 9, Matip 7, Klavan 7, Robertson 7, Can 8, Wijnaldum 7, Oxlade-Chamberlain 8, Salah 8, Coutinho 9, Firmino 9. Subs: Milner 6, Lallana 7, Solanke 6.

Swansea: Fabianksi 6, Naughton 5, Fernandez 7, Mawson 7, Olsson 5, Carroll 6, Mesa 5, Fer 5, Routledge 6, Ayew 6, McBurnie 6.
Subs: Clucas 6, Sanches 6, Abraham 6.

6 - GOAL! t's a sublime strike from outside the box from Coutinho! Firmino wins possession around 30 yards out and picks out his fellow Brazilian, whose curling effort gives Fabianski no chance.

31 - CHANCE: Coutinho finds Firmino around 40 yards out and he has the space and time to advance forward. The pass back to Coutinho looks to be on, but Firmino shoots wide from 30 yards.

45+3’ CHANCE: Salah dispossesses Roque Mesa and picks out Firmino in plenty of space with a clear run at goal. Firmino advances and switches the ball to his right foot, but shoots low and wide. He should have done much better there.

52 - GOAL! Ayew is called up for a foul on Coutinho around 35 yards from goal. Coutinho sends it in and it lands on Firmino's right foot. He volleys home beautifully!

66 - GOAL! Trent Alexander-Arnold has his first PL goal and it's a barnstormer! Mawson clears a Coutinho cross as far as the teenager on the edge of the area, who takes one touch and blasts it past Fabianski!

67 - GOAL! Firmino gets his second of the evening, Fer plays a dreadful pass back and Salah latches onto it, He plays a square ball to Firmino who has a simple tap-in.

83 - GOAL! Oxlade-Chamberlain gets his first Premier League goal for Liverpool. Alexander-Arnold rifles in a cross, which is blocked by Carroll. It falls to The Ox, who controls with his knee and volleys beautifully over Fabianski.

88 - CHANCE: Coutinho picks out Solanke in the box with a superb aerial ball. Solanke volleys and it whistles past the post. That would have been a classic goal if it was on target!

Liverpool haven’t lost a home game on Boxing Day since 1986 (a 1-0 loss to Manchester United).

Swansea have lost nine of their last 12 Premier League games.

Liverpool have scored 39 goals in their last nine games against Swansea.