James Milner's second half penalty was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Liverpool against Swansea City on Sunday evening, as the Reds moved up to sixth in the Premier League table.
Dominating for most of the first half, it looked like Jürgen Klopp's men were going to suffer another frustrating day as an out of form Swansea side kept them at bay.
However, Milner's cool penalty gave the hosts all three points, as they held off late pressure from the visitors, taking advantage of their near rivals dropping points in the process.
The Reds were handed a welcome boost before the game had even kicked off, with two key names returning to the bench. Daniel Sturridge's long-awaited comeback had been halted on Thursday as he suffered a foot injury that kept him out of the game against Bordeaux, but he was back in, as was captain Jordan Henderson, with both yet to feature under Klopp.
Lucas Leiva's suspension saw Emre Can and Milner line up as a central two in the midfield, whilst Philippe Coutinho wasn't involved having picked up a slight hamstring problem in midweek. There was no place for ex-Red Jonjo Shelvey in the visiting team, due to the midfielder also serving a suspension.
Reds dominate opening stages
Liverpool went into the game in better form, and it showed from the start, as their relentless pressing wasn't dealt with well by Swansea. Winning the ball back on the halfway line, good work from Christian Benteke saw Jordon Ibe slotted through, only for Kyle Bartley to get across and tackle the winger, kicking the ball against the post in the process.
Benteke got a chance of his own soon after, collecting a lovely lofted ball from Emre Can inside the penalty area, but a poor touch allowed the visiting side to clear. In honesty, the first 25 minutes of the game seemed like an attack - defence training exercise for Liverpool, but some solid defending by a deep Swansea line prevented the home side from gaining an early advantage.
Gary Monk's men did eventually grow into the game, beginning to ping the ball around in their trademark style, but Liverpool weren't in the mood to concede a shock lead. They weathered a slight storm for a few minutes, before seeing a chance of their own go amiss at the other end, as Alberto Moreno curled a free-kick over the bar.
Jordon Ibe was looking lively as the game went into the second half, and forced Lukas Fabianski into a good save, cutting inside from the left and then rifling a shot towards the near post. It sparked an early warning sign for the Swans, and they did eventually concede, Ibe involved again as Liverpool took the lead from the penalty spot.
Milner penalty relieves pressure
The winger crossed from the right hand side, and referee Anthony Taylor adjudged the ball to have struck Neil Taylor's hand, allowing James Milner to step up and send a cool penalty down the middle of the goal.
Liverpool went on to make the substitutions that the crowd were hoping for, with Henderson and Sturridge both returning to action, replacing Firmino and Benteke respectively. Gary Monk made a change of his own, switching the ineffective Eder for Batefimbi Gomis.
Liverpool withstand late Swansea storm
Henderson wasted no time in impacting the play, spreading the ball to Milner, who should have scored his second as he drove an effort narrowly wide. That was an indication that Liverpool were most likely to wrap up the game with a second goal, but it didn't prove to be reality, as Swansea pressure made for a nervy final period.
Gomis shot wide with an effort that left the crowd's hearts skipping a beat, before the Frenchman won a corner, which went straight out for a goal kick thanks to the windy conditions. That, and some calmness under pressure from the likes of Henderson, ensured that Klopp's men clung on for a vital win.