Liverpool went into the game looking to extend their 18-game unbeaten streak but they were frustrated by a stubborn Swansea rearguard at the Liberty.
From the outset the hosts were content to surrender possession to their more illustrious opponents, though Liverpool struggled to do much with the ball.
Sadio Mane was just unable to convert after collecting Emre Can’s ball over the top in what was a rare chance in a cagey first half.
Swansea had the ball in the net with 17 minutes played as Andre Ayew blasted past Loris Karius at the near post but referee Neil Swarbrick correctly disallowed the goal, with the ball having gone out of play in the build-up.
Virgil van Dijk, making his first league start since his big-money move from Southampton, could have followed up his derby heroics with another goal when he flicked Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s corner from the left just wide of the far post, whilst the Dutchman showed his eye for a pass just minutes later as he picked out Mohamed Salah with a fine ball over the top, only for the Egyptian to snatch at his chance and volley well over.
With just four minutes to go until the break the hosts took a shock lead.
Van Dijk was only able to head a corner from the right straight at Federico Fernandez and fellow defender Alfie Mawson was the first to react, firing home a sharp finish on the turn to give his side the lead.
22 January 2018
With that, Swansea went in at the break ahead, with the second half becoming very much one-way traffic.
- One-way traffic -
Liverpool stepped up their dominance after the break, with wave after wave of attack.
Swansea had Kyle Naughton to thank on 55 minutes as he made a superb last-ditch challenge to deny Andy Robertson a sight of goal, whilst Lukasz Fabianski twice had to be alert to come off his line to smother danger.
The Pole was called into action again just after the hour mark as he tipped Salah’s curling free kick over the bar and to safety.
It was already looking like it wasn’t going to be Liverpool’s day at this point and so it proved, with the hosts becoming more and more desperate with each passing minute.
Van Dijk and Emre Can blazed harmlessly over from range, before substitute Danny Ings saw a low effort well kept out by Fabianski.
Jurgen Klopp’s side continued to press as the minutes ticked away, with Swansea throwing bodies in the way of everything that Liverpool could muster.
With virtually the last kick of the game, Liverpool finally created the gilt-edged chance that they craved, only for Firmino to crash a header back off the upright when it looked easier so score.
The result means that Liverpool remain in fourth, two points ahead of Tottenham, whilst Swansea move joint on points with West Brom, just three adrift of safety.