Liverpool overtake Swansea after five star performance

Liverpool 5-0 Swansea

Liverpool won their first game in five matches, as they put five goals past Swansea at Anfield.

After a difficult week, which saw a home defeat against West Brom, followed by defeat in the Europa League - the reds moved back to 7th place in the weekend's only Premier League fixture.

Swansea boss Michael Laudrup rested seven players ahead of their club's Wembley appearance next weekend in the League Cup Final.  Their route to the Wembley final involved them beating holders Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season.

In the Liverpool camp, Rodgers gave new number 10, Coutinho, his first Liverpool start.  Sturridge was also returned to the side after injury, and Carragher was once again preferred over Martin Skrtel in the Liverpool central defence.

Liverpool took a 1-0 lead into half time after Suarez was felled in the penalty area.  Steven Gerrard stepped up to take the penalty in front of the Kop, but unlike Monday evening the shot narrowly crept in past keeper Michael Vorm.

The second half saw Liverpool quickly seal the points.

Within seconds of the half starting Suarez sent a great ball through to Coutinho who calmly controlled the ball past a defender before shooting in to the Anfield Road end net.  2-0.

Minutes later and a brilliant team goal was finished with an interchange from Enrique and Sturridge - with the Spaniard firing high into the net for the reds third.

Suarez scored the side's fourth, before the reds were handed a penalty after Wayne Routledge handled in the area.

Gerrard gave the kick to Daniel Sturridge who easily dispatched the penalty for Liverpool's 5th.

It was Liverpool's third game since Monday night but the best performance of a long week.

The reds move into 7th place, 5 points behind 5th placed Arsenal who have a game in hand over the reds.