Liverpool v Swans: The big talking points

​​​​​​​Swansea City go in search of a shock when they head to Liverpool on Boxing Day.

But they can expect a stern examination against Jurgen Klopp’s impressive Reds side.

Here are all the key talking points heading into the game.

Same again, please

Liverpool were unbeaten at home in a year when the struggling Swans travelled to Merseyside last January.

Few gave the visitors a chance of getting anything that day, but they upset the odds to deliver one of the club's greatest ever results.

Fernando Llorente scored two goals early in the second half, only for Roberto Firmino’s double to leave the Swans reeling.

But the visitors dug deep and secured a famous victory thanks to Gylfi Sigurdsson’s winner.

What price another away success as the Swans head back to Anfield?

A late Christmas present?

The Swans have a decent record on Boxing Day in the Premier League era, even if they had a difficult afternoon this time 12 months ago when West Ham cruised to victory at the Liberty Stadium.

In 2015, Alan Curtis steered the Swans to a crucial 1-0 victory over West Brom thanks to Ki Sung-Yueng’s goal.

The year before that, Sigurdsson scored the only goal as Aston Villa were beaten in SA1.

There was a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea in 2013, while the Swans claimed a satisfactory draw at Reading in 2012.

They did not play on Boxing Day in their first season in the Premier League because their game with QPR was put back 24 hours for live television coverage.

It ended 1-1, with Jamie Mackie cancelling out Danny Graham’s early goal.

Formidable Liverpool

Klopp’s team have been in impressive form so far this season, particularly on their own patch.

In fact, they have not been beaten at Anfield in 2017-18.

Having said that, they have dropped points in five Premier League home games, with Burnley, Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton and West Brom all claiming draws on Liverpool’s ground.

And besides, the Swans’ win at Liverpool last season is a reminder that the form guide is sometimes irrelevant.

A time for changes?

After Crystal Palace last Saturday, the Liverpool trip is the second of four Premier League fixtures in 10 days for the Swans.

It is impossible for players to keep on performing at their peak during such a busy spell, so it could be that the squad is rotated.

There are a number of players in the Swans squad who are hungry for opportunities, such as Angel Rangel, Sam Clucas and Wayne Routledge, and they could all see some action over the next few days.

How do you stop the Fab Four?

Liverpool’s defensive record in recent games has actually been pretty solid, but the general feeling is that stopping Klopp’s various attacking threats is the key to getting a result against Liverpool.

In Mo Salah, Liverpool have one of the players of the season in the Premier League, and there are plenty of others the Swans must look out for.

Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Firmino make up a menacing frontline.

Even if one or two of that quartet are not involved, Klopp can call on the likes of Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge, Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings.