Liverpool ended a five-match winless run with a conclusive 5-0 success over a weakened Swansea City. Captain Steven Gerrard started things off with a converted penalty kick as Kemy Agustien was ruled to have brought down Luis Suarez. The Uruguay striker then set up Philippe Coutinho for his first ever Premier League goal before left back Jose Enrique made it 3-0 at the end of a fine team move. Suarez then added to the tally before Daniel Sturridge scored from the penalty spot to make it five after Wayne Routledge handled the ball inside the area.
Swansea had their minds set on next Sunday's Capital One Cup final against Bradford City and manager Michael Laudrup made no less than seven changes from his side that defeated Queen's Park Rangers 4-1. Top scorer Michu was left on the bench, along with regular first team members Ashley Williams, Angel Rangel, Routledge and Nathan Dyer.
Luis Suarez was the first to test goalkeeper Michel Vorm, while Stewart Downing and Glen Johnson also missed good chances early on. Then Steven Gerrard had two chances on free kicks but failed to find the net before Sturridge wasted a huge chance getting under his header just six yards out. Coutinho was the next in line to squander a good opportunity but the breakthrough finally came after Agustien clipped Suarez's ankle inside the area. The referee pointed to the spot and Gerrard converted.
The flood gates had opened and Liverpool bagged two more goals inside the opening 11 minutes of the second half. First Brazilian Coutinho skipped past two defenders before firing a cool finish and then Jose Enrique rounded off a splendid team move to make it 3-0.
Suarez then netted the fourth after jinking past Bartley and Monk before Routledge gave Liverpool another penalty kick after handling inside the box. Captain Steven Gerrard was generous and allowed Sturridge to take the spot kick, a good decision as the former Chelsea forward found the back of the net.
The match ended on a sour note for the hosts though as striker Fabio Borini, who came on as a 78th minute substitute, dislocated a shoulder and will be sidelined for the rest of the season. Liverpool's victory saw them climb above Swansea into seventh place.
Liverpool's next appointment is on Thursday as they try to overcome a two-goal deficit in the Europa League tie against Zenit, here are the odds for that match at Bet365:
Liverpool win - 8/11
Draw - 11/4
Zenit win - 15/4
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