Laudrup: Premier League is our priority

Michael Laudrup insists the Premier League is Swansea's first priority ahead of a busy fixture schedule.

The Swans host Liverpool at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night (8.00pm), before playing a further four games in the space of twelve days.

After Monday night's match against the early league leaders, the Swans travel to Spain to face Valencia in the Europa League, before the defence of the Capital One Cup begins at Birmingham, next Wednesday, September 25.

"We have already played seven games," said Laudrup. "And now we have another seven before the next break.

"We have four in the league, including Liverpool and Arsenal at home, as well as Crystal Palace and Southampton away. Then we have a cup game too.

"But I think the important thing right now, in the next seven games, is the Premier League.

"The Premier League is our priority. I use the words 'daily bread' because it's here that we have to survive and then do well.

"The domestic cups are something extra, and the Europa League, this year for us, is a great bonus. But at this moment, the Premier League is absolutely our priority."

The Swans have endured a tough start to this year's Premier League campaign, which included fixtures against the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, but the Great Dane says that the club's league position is not of great importance at this stage.

He said: "For the first six to ten games of the season, I don't look at the table because a lot can depend on the fixtures. We've had a tough start, with some difficult games.

"We just need to keep in there at this part of the season. We will then come to play a lot of the teams consecutively in what I call 'our league'. That is why it was important to get the three points at West Brom."

Monday night's match against Liverpool sees Brendan Rodgers return to the Liberty Stadium for the second time, since departing for the Reds last summer.

However, the current Swans manager says that, although it is important to remember what the former boss achieved at the club, focus has to be on the task in hand, come kick-off.

"He's an important part of the history of this club," said Laudrup. "It's important to remember what people have done for the club, but, on Monday, he will be with them, and we will do everything to beat him and his team."