'We were punished for basic errors'

Leon Britton admitted Swansea City paid the price for a succession of “basic errors” after they went down 5-0 at Liverpool.

There was no repeat of last season’s Anfield heroics as the sloppy Swans were put to the sword on a painful evening on Merseyside.

Liverpool’s frontmen are among the most dangerous in the Premier League, but the Swans made life easy for Jurgen Klopp’s men as they conceded a flurry of soft goals.

Philippe Coutinho broke the deadlock just six minutes in after Jordan Ayew lost possession in his own half.

Roberto Firmino made it 2-0 early in the second half when he was left unmarked at a free-kick, then Trent Alexander-Arnold scored number three after Ayew was slow to react on the edge of the box.

Firmino made it four after Leroy Fer gifted possession to Mo Salah, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain completed the rout after the Swans were outfought in their own box.

And a disappointed Britton conceded that his team had failed to perform.

“You cannot make basic errors, whether that’s your set-up at set-pieces, second balls or misplaced passes, because you give yourselves no chance,” said the Swans’ caretaker manager.

“When you come to a place like Liverpool, you need a seven or eight out of 10 performance from everyone, and then you’ll have a chance of getting a result.

“But if you make basic errors that you would expect to see in academy football, a team like Liverpool are going to punish you.”

After the early Coutinho goal, the Swans recovered to an extent and were able to compete in the first period.

But Liverpool’s second goal prompted a collapse from the visitors.

“We are bottom of the league and confidence is low in the team,” Britton added.

“Even so, in the first half we didn’t do too badly after the goal and I felt our confidence was growing a little bit.

“But after the second goal, our confidence went completely. Even then, you have to make sure you give everything you have got.

“As players we have all been in difficult situations, but you still remain professional and do the right things for the team.

“But out there, I have to be honest and say I didn’t see that from a lot of players.”

The Liverpool mauling means the Swans remain bottom of the Premier League table ahead of Saturday’s trip to Watford.

For the moment, there is no update on the club’s managerial situation.

“I spoke to the chairman on Christmas Eve and I expect I will speak to him tonight or tomorrow,” Britton said.

“As things stand, I will be in charge for Watford.”