Swansea City manager Garry Monk has cited Brendan Rodgers as an inspiration ahead of his team's Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool on Monday night.

The Welsh side will welcome the Reds to the Liberty Stadium in a position of strength.

In their last home run-out, Swansea battled from a goal behind to defeat Manchester United 2-1 and they currently occupy ninth place in the Barclays Premier League table.

Monk's charges have amassed 40 points from 28 games so far this season, just seven shy of the total recorded under Rodgers in his final year there before assuming the Anfield reins.

The Northern Irishman remains a significant role model for the Swans boss, who has suffered two reversals against the Reds already in 2014-15.

Monk said: "I've not spoken to Brendan about the game coming up - he has got his own things going on at Liverpool with different targets.

"He has moved on from us obviously and is doing exceptionally well at Liverpool, turning them around and making them a real force.

"But what he did for our club is fantastic and it's the benchmark for us.

"Any manager who comes in - but especially for me, because I played under him and worked very closely with him - what he achieved is an inspiration and it's an inspiration for me to try to get this side to 47 points.

"He did a great job for our club and if we can do the same or try to improve on it then great, that's what you have to try to do as a manager."