LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 29, 2015: Liverpool's James Milner celebrates scoring the first goal against Swansea City during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool 1-0 Swansea City: Player Ratings

Following Liverpool’s hard-fought 1-0 win over Swansea City on Sunday, we assess the performance of each Reds player on the day.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 29, 2015: Liverpool's James Milner celebrates scoring the first goal against Swansea City during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool 1–0 Swansea City

Premier League – Anfield – Sunday 29th November 2015

Goals: Milner 62′ (pen)

Simon Mignolet – 6 (out of 10)

A quiet afternoon on the whole for the Belgian, who was hardly called into action against a toothless Swansea side.

Nathaniel Clyne – 7

We could virtually copy and paste Clyne’s rating each week, such is his consistency.

Once again the 24-year-old was assured defensively, and he also offered an attacking threat down the right flank on a number of occasions. He continues to look an excellent signing.

Martin Skrtel – 6

Skrtel was another who had a quiet day at the office for much of the game.

The 30-year-old was barely tested in the first-half, but when Swansea grew in confidence late in the day, he didn’t look particularly convincing.

He doesn’t bring an air of calm to proceedings in situations such as those.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 29, 2015: Liverpool's James Milner celebrates scoring the first goal against Swansea City during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Dejan Lovren – 7

The much-maligned Croatian was impressive from start to finish, in what was an encouraging performance.

He looked more confident and authoritative than he has in the past, and his use of the ball, reading of the game and lack of errors were there for all to see.

Alberto Moreno – 6.5

Moreno is actually becoming unnoticed for large chunks of matches, which is actually a good thing.

The young Spaniard looks far more solid defensively these days, and his energy up and down the left helped give Liverpool an extra attacking dimension at times.

Emre Can – 7.5 (Man of the Match)

The Reds’ star man on the day.

Can produced a very good performance, barring the odd sloppy pass, and showed that he is capable of thriving in a holding-midfield role.

He looked a class act on the ball, but there was also a maturity about his game off it.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 29, 2015: Liverpool's James Milner scores the first goal against Swansea City from the penalty spot during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

James Milner – 7

Liverpool’s match-winner did well, and is showing signs of finding some much-needed form in a Reds shirt.

The England international dispatched his penalty nervelessly, and his all-round work ethic and game intelligence were among the best on the pitch.

Adam Lallana – 6

A fairly forgettable performance from Lallana, who looked jaded.

The 27-year-old just couldn’t really get into the game, and he was guilty of trying to do too much on the ball at times.

Jordon Ibe – 6.5

Ibe has made a pleasing return to form under Jurgen Klopp, and he was again one of his side’s more lively attacking players.

The teenager tested Lukasz Fabianski with a stinging shot in the second half, and he was always willing to take on a man in tight areas. His final ball needs to improve, however.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 29, 2015: Liverpool's Jordon Ibe in action against Swansea City's Neil Taylor during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Roberto Firmino – 5

As brilliant as Firmino is, he seems immune to criticism from some. He was poor against Swansea, and was deservedly substituted midway through the second-half.

Tiredness will have played a part.

Time and time again he lost the ball, and although his work rate was good, we expect more from him. If Milner had played liked that, he would have been crucified.

Christian Benteke – 5

Benteke divides opinion, despite having an impressive goalscoring record, and he was again rather infuriating against Garry Monk’s side.

There was a lethargy about the Belgian’s performance, and his touch, movement and general quality were lacking a spark. The jury is still out on the ex-Aston Villa man.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 29, 2015: Liverpool's captain Jordan Henderson in action against Swansea City during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Substitutes

Jordan Henderson (on for Firmino 64′) – 6

It was great to see the captain make his return from injury, but he was understandably a little rusty. His passing was incisive, though.

Daniel Sturridge (on for Benteke 71′) – 6

The 26-year-old was also off the pace, but Liverpool just look more threatening when he is on the pitch.

Kolo Toure (on for Ibe 90′) – N/A

Only on the pitch for a matter of seconds.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 29, 2015: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp during the Premier League match against Swansea City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Jurgen Klopp – 8

Yet another good day for Liverpool’s universally popular manager.

His decision to play Can in a deeper role proved to be an inspired move, and he seems to be slowly bringing the best out of players like Lovren, Moreno and Ibe.

The German has lost just once during his time in charge, and the Reds are now just six points off top spot in the Premier League. Klopp can do no wrong.

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Player ratings definitions: 10 = Faultless | 9 = Excellent | 8 = Very Good | 7 = Good | 6 = Average | 5 = Below Par | 4 = Bad | 3 = Very Bad | 2 Awful | 1 = Surely Not

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