Mixed emotions for Monk

Garry Monk felt mixed emotions after his side were narrowly edged out by Liverpool in a seven-goal thriller at Anfield.

The Swans were beaten 4-3 in Merseyside in a spectacle that will live long in the memory.

The hosts went two goals in front early on in the first-half after Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring in the third minute before Jordan Henderson curled a sweet strike into the top corner with 20 minutes on the clock.

Despite the setback against a team firing on all cylinders, Monk's side responded well and found a way back into the game when Jonjo Shelvey once again scored against his former club with a wonder strike from 20-yards.

Then, in the 27th minute, Wilfried Bony headed home Swansea's equaliser after latching on to Jonathan de Guzman's inviting free-kick before the ball deflected into the net off of the shoulder of Martin Skrtel.

In the second minute of added time in the first-half, Liverpool restored their lead when Daniel Sturridge nodded into the net after finding himself in space in the box.

But the Swans continued to cause Brendan Rodgers' side problems and were awarded a penalty just two minutes into the second period when Bony was fouled in the box by Skrtel. The Ivory Coast international cooly slotted home from the spot.

However, the heartbreak moment came for Swansea when Henderson tapped in from close range after Luis Suarez's initial effort was blocked by Williams.

The ball rebounded straight into the path of Henderson, who hit home. 

Speaking after the game, Monk was proud of his side's second-half display but was disappointed in defeat.

"I have mixed emotions to be honest," said Monk. "After the first-half I wasn't happy. We were a bit too slow with the ball and we were giving them a bit too much space. 

"Second-half we were back to ourselves, believing in what we were doing, moving the ball quicker and got the goal.

"When we were level at 3-3, I felt we could go on and do something here. We were passing the ball quick and their crowd was getting a bit agitated.

"Unfortunately for their fourth goal, we maybe left them a bit too open but the ricochet back straight into Henderson's feet was a bit of a gutter.

"Im never happy with defeat. The players are distraught, which shows you how much they want it. I told them that I wasn't happy at half-time and I could see that they weren't either.

"But to go out with the attitude they had in the second half, it makes me proud. We will never be happy with defeat, but if you're going to lose, make sure the other team earn it.

"To come to a team who are pushing for the title, and to give them a good game and be in it to the very end shows you how well we have done.

"We showed the character that we have in this team.

"I told them after to look what they've done against big teams. To be here after playing against Napoli and pushing to the very end, of course it fills me with confidence and it should fill them with confidence."

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers also had mixed emotions with his side's victory, while he also had good words to say about Monk.

"It was an excellent three points," said Rodgers. "The offensive side of our game was very good, but we didn't defend anywhere near well enough. Overall, it was a very good win against an outstanding team.

"Today we had to fight. Swansea drew in the week and should have won against Napoli. Today, they've come here and demonstrated what a good team they are. 

"Garry has made them aggressive, their passing is crisper and sharper. We knew it would be a difficult game.

"Garry is a good man and he will be up until late at night to make Swansea a great side. He is a guy who can really carry the club forward."