Swansea 1 Liverpool 2: Five things we learnt as Roberto Firmino inspires stunning Reds comeback in south Wales
If you needed any proof that football truly is a game of two halves, then Saturday lunchtime's kick-off was it
LIVERPOOL put in an incredible second-half performance in Swansea to come away with all three points on Saturday.
After the Swans got off to a flier, they could only watch as the rampant Reds roamed the attacking third in the second period.
But what can we take away from Liverpool's 2-1 win? Here are five things we learnt...
1. IT'S A GAME OF TWO HALVES
IF you didn't know it before, you do now: Football truly is a game of two halves.
Liverpool were lacklustre, frustrated and all-in-all ineffective in the opening 45 minutes.
After Leroy Fer's opener in the eighth minute, Jurgen Klopp's Reds looked stressed and all adrift.
Their hopes of four consecutive Premier League wins looked impossible... Until they strode out for the second half that is.
In the second period the Reds' offense was nigh-on unstoppable. Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho, Nathaniel Clyne and Roberto Firmino in particular were incredible going forward - with the latter grabbing a goal and winning the decisive penalty.
Klopp and Co netted twice and kept a clean sheet in the second half, barely giving the Swans a sniff.
Only a massive miss in the 93rd minute gave Reds fans any real cause for concern.
A gritty win, battling right until the last whistle, coming from behind to snatch all three points. Dare I say it... Performance of champions?
2. FER ENOUGH?
SWANSEA got their afternoon off to a flier, with Dutch ace Fer netting in the eighth minute to stun Liverpool.
It was only the Swans' sixth goal of the season... With Leroy netting four of those.
I'd hate to use the word one-man team, but with Borja Baston missing a pair of gilt-edged chances, it would be remiss of me to not suggest without Fer, the Welsh side would be in even more trouble this term...
3. GUIDOLIN'S A GONER
...WHICH leads nicely to my next point.
With the international break now upon us, Francesco Guidolin is set for a fortnight of turbulence.
While Swansea fans got behind the Italian chief during the game, the Premier League outfit's board will almost certainly consider giving him the boot after such a dreadful start to the season.
The Swans may have put in an improved performance on the day, but to leave with nothing..? It may just spell the end of his brief tenure.
4. NO RUN OF THE MIL LEFT-BACK
THERE was hysteria from around the country when James Milner was stuck at left-back earlier on this season.
Some were giggling at the fact that Alberto Moreno is so untrustworthy in Klopp's eyes, others simply that Milner would even be put there.
But incredibly, the move seems to be paying off... He has a great engine, a decent cross and is solid in both attack and defence.
In fact, I'd go as far as to say he was starting to look natural in the role.
Milner may not love it, but he is certainly giving it his all like a true professional... Which can only be good news for Liverpool.
Meanwhile, he has now netted three penalties in just two games - and four on the season from the full-back role. Not bad at all.
5. IT AD TO BE LALLANA
ADAM LALLANA limped off early in the first half... And boy did Liverpool miss him.
All of a sudden the Reds looked lifeless in the middle of the park and lacking a creative edge.
Coutinho slotted into that position and vastly improved in a more attack-minded second half.
But Lallana is the true link between defensive and attacking midfield that the Reds clearly need.
The former Southampton man has been in sublime form in recent months and he will be missed not only by the Reds, but also England in the next fortnight.