Liverpool slumps to shock Swansea City defeat

On the back of beating the Premier League's best, Liverpool has tasted defeat against the English top flight's bottom side.

Jurgen Klopp and Co. suffered just their third league loss of the year Monday at the Liberty Stadium courtesy of Alfie Mawson's match-winner five minutes before the interval, which moved Swansea City level on 20 points with West Brom.

The Reds nearly saved a point in the final moments when Virgil van Dijk's cross met Roberto Firmino in the penalty area, whose shot struck the post before Adam Lallana fired a celestial effort into Row Z.

Credit should go to the Swans for an organised and disciplined effort, especially in the second stanza, when Liverpool displayed an attacking threat that has become synonymous with the club's displays this season.

For the Reds, it was day and night from the 4-3 victory over previously-unbeaten Manchester City. Against Pep Guardiola's lot, Klopp's organic attack was at its best, pairing pacey work on the wings with fluid movement up front. At the Liberty, it was anything but, as Swansea sat deep and invited Liverpool to probe. Philippe Coutinho's playmaking was sorely missed, as the Merseysiders struggled to generate anything in midfield.

With the defeat, Liverpool remains fourth on 47 points, three points adrift of Chelsea and just two clear of Tottenham. Meanwhile, Swansea's fifth victory of the season sees Carlos Carvalhal's charges draw level with the Baggies on 20, and sit just three back of Stoke City and narrow Premier League safety.