Fortunate win keeps Reds in the hunt

A Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde performance this afternoon gave Liverpool another three points to stay in

Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde... You decide.

touch with the Premiership's leading pack. Two goals from each of Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson saw off a spirited Swansea side under the stewardship of their new boss Garry Monk. Whilst Swansea deserve some credit in a thrilling match for the neutrals, Liverpool's defence were akin to a 12th man for Swansea at times. Attacking flair and clinical finishing at one end, and suicidal defending at the other.

If there was any more proof required that Brendan Rodgers needs to beef up his defence in the next transfer window, then this must surely be it. The calamitous displays of Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Kolo Touré make me wonder where the team would be were it not for the current forward line. The words "mediocrity" and "mid-table" come to mind.

Liverpool started brightly enough and were two up after superbly taken goals from Sturridge on three minutes and then Henderson 17 minutes later to put the reds firmly in the driving seat. At this point one would think it should have been game over for Monk's men, but alas, enter the Dr. Jekyll defence. In fairness to Swansea, there were warnings to Liverpool before then with the impressive Jonjo Shelvey and Wilfred Bony, continually being allowed space to run at the home side's defence, without any sign of a challenge until far far too late. Shelvey got the Swans back into the game with a wonderful effort, in every way equal in quality to Henderson's strike a few minutes earlier.

The reaction from the ex-Liverpool midfielder was somewhat muted presumably as a sign of respect to the fans of his old club. Personally, I find this quite lame. If a player scores, especially in the way that Shelvey did, then he has every right to celebrate it in my opinion. Whether it's against his old team or not. Four minutes later the visitors were level due to what can only be described as laughable defending by Liverpool. A clear free kick against Skrtel for needlessly tripping Shelvey with his trailing leg - after a perfectly timed tackle - allowed the game to be brought back to parity. Bony heading in past Simon Mignolet with yet more help from the hapless Skrtel. Much to the annoyance of the home fans. Again, the pendulum swung back when Sturridge bagged his second of the game to restore Liverpool's lead. Again, you'd think Liverpool would get a strangle hold of the game now. Again, this was clearly too much to hope for.

The second half continued in as equally a shambolic manner as the first, as Dr. Jekyll, or Skrtel as he's often called, brought Bony down in the area to prove that you can't continually drag opponents to the ground or take their shirt off and expect to get away with it. Bony stepped up and slotted home to bring the game back to 3-3 with his second of the game. Liverpool were rattled. Not really by Swansea, but by their clear lack of any cohesion. The Mr. Hyde-like midfield and attack worked tirelessly, only for the Dr. Jekyll-like defence to undo the good work.

Rodgers substituted Daniel Agger, who it must be said was not having his happiest of returns to the team, with none other than Kolo Touré. Things could only get worse one thought and the anxiety of the Anfield faithful was felt every time he touched the ball. In fairness to him, he wasn't that bad although he was still bad enough. The introduction of Joe Allen for Raheem Sterling a few minutes earlier gave Liverpool some much needed zip in midfield, and things seemed to take a different slant. The home side started to play as if they actually knew each other and Allen's endeavour down the left was beginning to bear fruit.

Finally with 15 minutes remaining, the very same Joe Allen was involved again as his run down the left and switch to Luis Suarez who's cross saw Henderson pounce on the rebound from his initial shot to restore Liverpool's lead. Gerrard went close late on and hit the post, but other than that, there wasn't much else to shout about. by now Liverpool were looking more assured and saw out the rest of the game in relative ease. Special praise must go to Jon Flanagan who was absolutely immense at right back. He has come on leaps and bounds this season and one has to wonder when Martin Kelly, equally capable will get his chance for a run in the team. Let's face it, he can't do any worse than Glen Johnson, who was "ok" in his first game back but seems to be showing his age from what I can see. Come on Brendan save the club another £12m and give the boy a chance.

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