Liverpool v Swansea City: The big talking points

20th January

Paul Clement leads his new club for the second time in the Premier League when Swansea City go to Liverpool this weekend.
After last Saturday's home loss to Arsenal, a trip to Anfield represents another sizeable challenge for Clement's side.
Here we look at all the big talking points as the Swans look to upset the odds on Merseyside. 



A day for debuts?
The chances are that Swans fans will get a first glimpse of some, if not all, of the club's January recruits this weekend.
With Neil Taylor nursing a fractured cheekbone, Martin Olsson looks set to fight it out with Stephen Kingsley for a start on the left of defence following his move from Norwich City.
In midfield, Tom Carroll will hope for his first Swans appearance in just under two years having returned to the club he previously played for on loan.
Out wide, meantime, there could be an opportunity for Luciano Narsingh, although the Dutchman is battling to shake off a minor calf injury.
 


Fortress Anfield
A Swans success this weekend would be a major shock for Liverpool's fans. After all, they have not seen their team lose a league game on home soil in 369 days.
The last visiting team to take three points at Liverpool were Manchester United, who triumphed 1-0 last January thanks to a late Wayne Rooney goal.
Just over a week after that game, Stoke City sealed a 1-0 win at Anfield in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final - although the Reds ended up winning the tie thanks to a penalty shootout.  
Since then, Jurgen Klopp's team have not lost in any competition on their own patch.



Time to make history?
The Swans would not only be doing something no other Premier League team has managed for a year should they win this weekend, they would also be writing a new chapter in the club history books.
After all, the Swans have never won a league game on Liverpool's ground.
There have been 22 visits in all competitions, and the Reds have won 17 times.
There have been just two Swans triumphs, and both have come in knockout competitions.
There was a famous FA Cup shock in 1964, and almost half a century later, Michael Laudrup's team won 3-1 en route to their Capital One Cup success in 2013.



The Clement factor
The Swans' new head coach has suffered defeats in his first two games at the helm, in the FA Cup at Hull City and then at home to Arsenal last time out.
But in both those games, there have been signs of progress being made.
The Swans played some decent stuff in an even game on Humberside, and in the first half against Arsenal they looked disciplined and organised.
Clement will hope to see more progress this weekend having spent another week on the training ground with his new charges. 



Rampaging Reds
One bit of good news for the Swans as they head to Liverpool is that Sadio Mane, one of Klopp's stars of the season, is away at the African Cup of Nations.
However, the influential Philippe Coutinho is tipped to make his first Premier League start in almost two months having recovered from an ankle injury.
He could return to a Liverpool side who have scored more goals (49) than any other club in the Premier League this season.
With the likes of Adam Lallana, Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino also set to feature for the hosts, the Swans are well aware that a big defensive performance will be required if they are to get a result.