Liverpool's season has been a series of ups and downs, but if you compare it last season, it's mostly down. The offseason additions haven't been good enough, especially in the defense, and injuries have hampered the attack. After a hugely disappointing scoreless draw at home against Hull City, the Reds must refocus on Swansea City in the league cup.
Liverpool vs. Swansea City live stream: How to watch the League Cup online
The Reds are looking to get back on the winning track as they welcome the Swans to Anfield.
Alex Livesey
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Brendan Rodgers wants to get his team winning and performing at a consistent level, but he almost needs to balance the Reds busy schedule that includes a league match and Champions League match over the next week. He'll probably give this match a lower priority and rest some starters, giving the likes of Lazar Markovic, Suso and Kolo Touré a start.
No one is expecting big lineup changes from Swans head coach Garry Monk, though if he sticks to trends he'll give goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel a start over first choice keeper Lukasz Fabianski. Tremble has started Swansea's last two cup matches, but the desire to take out Liverpool could sway Monk to field a stronger side.
Key Player: Mario Balotelli (Liverpool)
It's important to note that Mario might not even play on Tuesday, making all this irrelevant for the day, but the general message is going to remain the same for the Reds ... they need Balotelli to do more. Many are blaming the player for the misses, the things they think they see, etc. The truth is probably closer to Balotelli struggling with his confidence and struggling with a getting consistent support from the players around him. Perhaps Liverpool are too reliant on the injured Daniel Sturridge, perhaps not, but someone needs to step up big time to help this team.
Key Matchup: Liverpool's defense vs. Wilfried Bony and Nathan Dyer (maybe?)
The Reds defense is maligned for good reason, but they're not terrible, just inconsistent. It helps having a solid goalkeeper in Simon Mignolet but they guys in front of him need to do more. If Garry Monk fields his best lineup, they'll be tested by the Swans two leading scorers Wilfried Bony and Nathan Dyer. Slowing down the two men who've combined for seven goals this season, will be priority number one ... if they play.
Liverpool injuries and suspensions
Out: Daniel Sturridge (knee), John Flanagan (knee), Mamadou Sakho (calf).
Swansea City injuries and suspensions
In Doubt: Gylfi Sigurdsson (knock), Wayne Routledge (fatigue).
Liverpool don't have any new injuries from the weekend, but none of their three sidelined players are ready to return either with Sturridge, Flanagan and Sakho all out. Swansea are in good shape on the injury front but both Sigurdsson and Rutledge could get a rest. Sigurdsson limped off in the Swans win over Leicester City, so giving him a day off would make sense.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 8 p.m. local, 4 p.m. ET
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, England
TV: beIN Sports USA (U.S.), beIN Sports Canada (Canada)
Online: beIN Sports CONNECT (U.S.), beIN Sports CONNECT (Canada)
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