IN-DEPTH STATS: Liverpool vs Swansea

Liverpool vs Swansea 13:30

Liverpool will be hoping to rediscover their attacking rhythm after losing 2 -1 to Arsenal in The FA Cup. Despite a surge in the second half which saw Gerrard confidently send Fabianski the wrong way from the penalty spot and a contentious penalty decision go against Liverpool, Arsenal managed to hold on for the win.

With both Suarez and Sturridge topping the Premier League goal tally with 23 and 16 goals respectively, Liverpool fans should be confident in the attacking capabilities of their team. In addition to his success in front of goal, The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that Suarez also has a season total of 15 assists; the highest in the league. Suarez is 13/5 to score first with 888sport.com

Jordan Henderson will pose a dangerous threat to the Swansea defense from midfield. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that Henderson has made a total of 748 attacking contributions this season and has completed 717 passes in the opposition half.

After the disappointment of their exit from the FA Cup Liverpool will be looking to captain Steven Gerrard to dominate the midfield. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, Gerrard has made 80 tackles so far this season with a success rate of an impressive 83.8%.

Central to the latest test in Liverpool’s Premier League campaign will be the presence of Martin Skrtel in defense. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that Skrtel leads the way for defensive contributions, (Interceptions, blocks, tackles won and clearances), in the Premier League this season with an impressive 372 contributions to date.

Under caretaker manager Garry Monk, Swansea will be hoping to bounce back from their FA Cup defeat at the hands of Everton. Despite showing admirable resolve, which saw the Swans swiftly respond to Everton’s early opener through Jonathan de Guzman’s header, they were convincingly beaten by a dominant Everton side.

Against a team as formidable in attack as Liverpool, the Swansea defense will have its work cut out. With a tackle win percentage of 84.6%, Dwight Trendalli’s presence in defense will be crucial in Swansea’s attempts at containing Liverpool’s dangerous attacking ability. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index also shows that Chico leads the Swansea team in defensive contributions with a total of 297 this season

Swans fans will be looking to Jonathan de Guzman’ impressive attacking credentials for inspiration. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that De Guzman has made 775 attacking contributions, (crosses, dribbles, passes and shots on target), this season and has completed 731 passes in the opposition half to date; the highest at the club.

With 8 changes being made after Swansea’s stalemate away to Stoke, Monk’s preferred starting 11 is still far from decided but he will be hoping that club top scorer Nathan Dyer makes a case for himself by building upon his total of 5. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, he has made 39 dribbles in the opposition half this season and has a shot accuracy rating of 47.6% and is 18/1 to score first with 888sport.com