Liverpool are not where they had hoped to be, before the start of the season. Their disappointing goalless draw at home to Hull City last Saturday created more negatives than positives. Mario Balotelli still couldn't find the net and the Merseyside Reds ended the weekend in seventh position, behind Swansea City on goal difference.
Assistant coach Colin Pascoe remains confident in Liverpool's revamped squad, though. Commenting on this difficult "Life after Luis Suarez" period for the club and its die-hard supporters, Pascoe told LFC's official website:
"We've got a lot of new players and it takes time to gel together. They are quality players and they'll fit in fine. It's just a time where they've got to bed in; they are training and working hard as well. Just give them time and you'll see the best of them."
This Tuesday, Swansea and Liverpool will lock horns. What is at stake is a spot in the Fifth Round of the League Cup, a trophy which Steven Gerrard lifted in February 2012. Going a step further to emulating this achievement would bring relief for Brendan Rodgers' men who have been struggling in both Europe and the EPL this season.
"They are a good side and will be hard opposition," Pascoe admitted about Swansea City.
"They are playing very well. They had a great result (2-0) against Leicester in the Premier League and I'm sure they'll come here strong and wanting to win."
Correct. Welsh skipper Ashley Williams is looking forward to shocking the hosts again, almost exactly two years after Swansea secured a memorable 3-1 win at Anfield en route to 2012/13 League Cup glory. So can the Swans repeat this achievement and send Liverpool packing today?
"Of course we can, we think we can go anywhere and win," Williams told the press.
"We know it's going to be difficult but it's a brilliant game for us. Every time you play in a top stadium you've got to take that opportunity, adopt your game plan and try and win."
What are Anfield's home crowd and traveling fans in for?
Liverpool's Starting XI: Jones, Manquillo, Lovren, Toure, Johnson, Lucas, Henderson, Coutinho, Markovic, Lambert, Borini.
Swansea City's Starting XI: Tremmel, Rangel, Fernandez, Williams (C), Taylor, Fulton, Shelvey, Emnes, Dyer, Montero, Gomis.
Liverpool's Subs: Mignolet, Moreno, Skrtel, Lallana, Can, Rossiter, Balotelli.
Swansea City's Subs: Fabianski, Bartley, Shephard, Carroll, Routledge, Barrow, Bony.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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