Boss: We are a different side

Carlos Carvalhal reckons a different Swansea City will face Liverpool on Monday night as they bid to make amends for last month’s Anfield mauling.

The Swans were beaten 5-0 – their heaviest defeat of the season – when they faced Jurgen Klopp’s team on Boxing Day.

But Carvalhal was appointed just two days later and since then the Swans have lost only once in five matches.

And while he acknowledges that his team face a stern examination against the in-form Reds, Carvalhal is expecting a much closer contest than when the two clubs last met.

“It’s a fact that Liverpool are 18 games unbeaten and they score a lot of goals per game,” the Portuguese said.

“They beat Manchester City in their last game and they beat Swansea 5-0 a few weeks ago.

“We know they are a very strong side, with fantastic players, a fantastic coach and a fantastic style of play.

“But they will play against a different Swansea team to the one they played last month.”

Liverpool’s remarkable run without defeat stretches back to a loss at Tottenham in October – one of only two league reverses they have suffered all season.

Last weekend Klopp’s star-studded side became the first team to beat runaway leaders Manchester City in the Premier League this season, but Carvalhal insists the Swans have a chance of causing an upset.

“Liverpool are beating a lot of teams by three, four or even five goals, and most people probably expect something like that on Monday,” he added.

“But we are here to be organised and to try to surprise them.

“It will be one of the most difficult games in the competition, but even if you have only one per cent chance, you must have 100 per cent faith.

“It is a little bit like David and Goliath, but we will be ready to try to pull off a surprise.”