Rampant Reds a joy to watch with devastating show

Liverpool marked Boxing Day by unleashing an onslaught which left lowly Swansea City feeling punch-drunk.

The frustration of three successive home league stalemates was banished as Jurgen Klopp's side ran riot en route to regaining their place in the top four.

“A joy to watch,” was the manager's assessment of a second-half display which turned a nervy 1-0 lead into a five-star demolition job.

Liverpool have made a habit of allowing mediocre opposition to depart with something for their troubles this season but this time they made no mistake.

The rock-bottom Swans had no answer to the devastating show of force they were hit with. Imagine the damage which would have been inflicted if 21-goal top scorer Mohamed Salah hadn't left his shooting boots at home?

The outstanding Philippe Coutinho led the way on his 200th appearance for the club.

The little magician scored his first Liverpool goal in a 5-0 win over Swansea in February 2013 and he repeated the trick when he broke the deadlock in style early on with his 12th goal of the season.

Coutinho oozed class throughout.

It's testament to his attitude and application that Klopp handed him the captain's armband in the absence of both Jordan Henderson and James Milner.

Having netted seven times in December alone, this is the most profitable month of Coutinho's Reds career. His value just keeps on going up.

Fellow countryman Roberto Firmino tormented the Swans and helped himself to a couple of classic poacher's efforts as he took his tally for the season to 16 goals.

That double was sandwiched by a moment to warm the cockles on a bitterly cold night. It's one that young Trent Alexander-Arnold won't ever forget.

The 19-year-old from West Derby's first Premier League goal and his first senior strike at Anfield was a beauty.

The outpouring of emotion that followed showed exactly what it meant to the lifelong Reds fan, who used to watch training through a hole in the wall at Melwood, as he slid on his knees in front of the Kop before being mobbed by his teammates.

The goal was reward for an all-action display from the gifted youngster who will look back on 2017 and pinch himself at what he's achieved.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who got the nod ahead of Sadio Mane, completed the rout with his first Anfield goal late on as the £35million man continues to look the part in midfield.

With Joel Matip enjoying a return to action after a month out and Simon Mignolet enjoying a trouble-free 90 minutes on his 200th appearance for the club, this was a night which ticked all the boxes.

Liverpool got off to the perfect start as they took the lead inside six minutes with a goal of majestic quality.

The tireless Firmino dispossessed Jordan Ayew and found Salah, who knocked it into Coutinho's feet 20 yards out. The Brazilian looked up and whipped a stunning right-footer beyond Lukasz Fabianski.

Coutinho continued to dazzle with his box of tricks and intelligent movement, drifting in off the left flank and exploiting pockets of space.

The gulf in class was immense as Liverpool's front three continued to torment the visitors.

In the first half some slick approach play was accompanied by some wasteful finishing. As a result Klopp's men didn't add to their tally before the break

Andy Robertson sliced wide after latching on to Coutinho's cut back after Salah and Firmino had combined to release him. Coutinho's lofted pass just evaded the on-rushing Salah before Emre Can was denied by Fabianski.

It was hopelessly one-sided but as Liverpool's lead remained so narrow the anxiety levels in the stands were audible.

Mignolet clung on to Ayew's early header and Ragnar Klavan made a key block to thwart lone frontman Oliver McBurnie. In truth Swansea looked about as potent as England's Ashes bowling attack.

For the most part it was defence v attack as Coutinho's twinkle toes kept finding a way through. Swansea couldn't get near him and he skipped away from Kyle Naughton before seeing his strike deflect behind off Federico Fernandez.

Firmino should have eased the nerves by scoring on the stroke of half-time.

Salah pounced on Roque Mesa's error and fed the striker, who turned away from Fernandez. He could have tucked it away with his left but opted to shift it back on to his right and drilled wide.

At the Emirates last Friday the Reds were left to rue not killing Arsenal off but a blistering start to the second half ensured there would be no repeat.

With marauding full-backs Alexander-Arnold and Robertson providing some pin-point deliveries, the hosts cranked up the tempo and swarmed all over Swansea's over-worked backline.

Seven minutes after the restart it was 2-0. Coutinho was the provider this time as his free-kick picked out Firmino, who got away from Fernandez at the far post and volleyed home from close range.

Coutinho cleverly created another chance from a set-piece for Salah but the Egyptian turned it wide. Salah was thwarted by the legs of Fabianski soon as Swansea fell to pieces under the sheer weight of pressure.

Liverpool's third goal nearly raised the roof. It was a moment which perfectly encapsulated Alexander-Arnold – burning desire, ambition and fine technique.

He looked second favourite when Alfie Mawson headed Robertson's cross out to the edge of the box. But the teenager reacted smartly, got there ahead of Ayew and unleashed a thunderous effort which flew in off the underside of the bar.

Within seconds it was 4-0. Salah latched on to another misplaced pass, skipped clear and unselfishly squared to give Firmino a tap-in.

The mission was complete. Klopp was afforded the luxury of giving both Salah and Firmino a breather ahead of Saturday's visit of Leicester City.

The injection of energy provided by Adam Lallana and Dominic Solanke ensured there was no respite for the Swans.

With seven minutes to go the Reds bagged a fifth to make it 75 goals in all competitions so far this season.

Oxlade-Chamberlain shrugged off Ayew inside the box, controlled the ball on his thigh and looped a volley past Fabianski for his third goal for the club.

The scoreline flattered Swansea. Liverpool were rampant.

Man of the match: Philippe Coutinho. Set the tone with a stunning opener and shone throughout.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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