Liverpool 5-0 Swansea City: Player Ratings
Liverpool gave their supporters a Boxing Day bonanza by easing to a 5-0 win over Swansea City at Anfield. The Reds were at their usual best going forward as Jurgen Klopp made four changes to the side that drew against Arsenal.
Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring with a stunner and then laid a chance on a platter for Roberto Firmino to score the second. Trent Alexander-Arnold then got on the scoresheet, hitting a thunderous half-volley into the back of the net. Firmino scored his second and Liverpool's fourth whereas it was Chamberlain who made it five and capped off a brilliant outing for the Reds.
The win took Liverpool back into the top four while the Swans are still rock bottom at the foot of the table. On that note, let's take a look at how each player fared in what looked like a routine victory for Liverpool over their Welsh counterparts:
Swansea City
Lukasz Fabianski: 5/10
It can get difficult for any goalkeeper in the world when Liverpool's attackers are in the mood to destruct. Fabianski was not at fault for any of the goal conceded and made decent saves when possible. But he was badly let down by his defenders on the night.
Kyle Naughton: 6/10
The right-back took some risks to get forward and get involved. He linked up well with Routledge at times but lacked a decent end product. Naughton did his job well and can be said as one of the better performers for the Swans.
Federico Fernandez: 5/10
Fernandez started the game well, blocking Firmino's shot and looking confident in aerial duels. But he soon lost the plot after the break and struggled to get hold of the action. He struggled to track the runs of numerous Liverpool players as the Reds bypassed him at will in the second half.
Alfie Mawson: 5/10
Just as his central partner Fernandez, Mawson looked commanding before the interval. But in the last half hour or so, Liverpool changed gears and Mawson could not adjust to the incessant attacks coming to him left, right and centre. Though he did not commit any individual error, Mawson could not rally his troops to position themselves better defensively.
Martin Olsson: 5/10
The left-back could not surge forward as he does because of the presence of Mohammed Salah on his flank. He failed to track the Egyptian at times and also was booked for a terrible lunge on Roberto Firmino. But he put his body on the line in the dying stages of the game to deny Chamberlain his second of the night.
Roque Mesa: 5/10
The Spaniard displayed some fine touches to get Swansea going forward but often was found wanting rather than helping his defenders out. His mistake could have led to a second in the first half but Firmino's shot went wide. Mesa was soon taken off in the second half.
Tom Carroll: 4/10
The former Spurs man was nowhere to be seen for the majority of the game and looked like a man clearly devoid of confidence. Carroll was anonymous for large parts of the game.
Leroy Fer: 4/10
Liverpool won the game in midfield fair and square with Fer often found bypassed by the opposition. He looked good going forward in the second half but did not track back in time to offer protection to the back four. Fer also had a chance to salvage a goal for the Swans at the hour mark but made a hash of that opportunity.
Wayne Routledge: 5/10
Routledge got into good positions on the right wing but a lack of options in the box limited his attacking output. He worked hard for the team but could not help his side in their second-half annihilation.
Oliver McBurnie: 7/10
The 21-year-old striker made his first Premier League start for the club and impressed as a sole striker. He held up the ball well and took a couple of shots on goal; one was blocked by Klavan and other was a simple take for Mignolet. But he was denied the service that he was hoping for and could not have done any better than what he managed.
Jordan Ayew: 3/10
Ayew came into this game on the back of a highly influencing performance against Crystal Palace. But at Anfield, Ayew was shockingly disappointing. He took ages on the ball when in possession and lost valuable time for a counter attack.
Ayew was also at fault for the first goal, going doing far too easily without any contact from Roberto Firmino. He also reacted late to block Alexander-Arnold's effort which then blasted the roof of the net.
Substitutions
Tammy Abraham: 4/10
The Chelsea loanee replaced McBurnie and saw two goals being scored at the opposite end in a matter of minutes after his arrival. He hardly got any chance to make a difference for his side.
Sam Clucas: 5/10
Replacing Mesa, Clucas was brought on to make Swansea a bit solid in midfield. But he too could not do any different to stop the flow of attacks from the hosts.
Renato Sanches: N/A
The youngster got a look-in during the final quarter of the game but the damage was largely done before his arrival. Anonymous.