BT Group
 
Played
May 13, 2012 3:00 PM BST
Liberty Stadium — Swansea
Referee:‬ M. Halsey‎
Attendance:‬ 20605‎
 
86′ Danny Graham
 
Top of the Match
Joe Allen
Joe Allen
Swansea City
Luis Suárez
Luis Suárez
Liverpool
Flop of the Match
Stewart Downing
Stewart Downing
Liverpool
Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish
Liverpool

Swansea 1-0 Liverpool: Swans finish on a high as Graham scores late winner

The Swans won their first game in nine to finish off their debut Premier League season ton an impressive high against a poor Reds side who slumped to yet another defeat

By Rhys Turrell

Danny Graham & Nathan Dyer
Getty Images

Liverpool lost 1-0 away at Swansea to condemn Kenny Dalglish’s side to their worst-ever Premier League finish.


A late strike from Danny Graham was enough for the Welsh side, but it was a dull contest with neither side having enough meaningful efforts on goal and a lack of tempo and quality throughout.

Dalglish made two changes to the side that comprehensively beat Chelsea in midweek with goalkeeper Doni and Matin Kelly coming in for the ill Pepe Reina and Martin Skrtel, whilst Swansea chief Brendan Rogers recalled Leon Britton in place of Mark Gower following last weekend’s loss at Manchester United.

Going in to the game Liverpool knew that only a win would give them the chance to finish above city rivals Everton, whilst their hosts had an outside chance of finishing in the top-half in their debut season in the Premier League.

The Swans had the first best chance in a first half devoid of clear-cut chances as Liverpool youngster Jonjo Shelvey was robbed on the ball in midfield Joe Allen’s cross-come-shot was just out of the reach of top-scorer Danny Graham.

The Welsh side enjoyed plenty of early possession and came close to opening the scoring when Joe Allen dispossessed Shelvey, only to drag his shot across Doni.

Doni, who did not impress in his last outing either, was then booked for picking up an Andy Carroll backpass.

The Reds struggled with Swansea’s dominance, but Maxi Rodriguez created himself a half-chance, but, like Allen, made a hash of his shot when under pressure.

The Swans were unlucky not to go ahead before the break when Gylfi Sigurdsson’s shot was blocked on the line by the Argentine.

The visitors showed more purpose at the start of the second period and in-form striker Andy Carroll nearly opened the scoring with an impressive bicycle kick, however Swans keeper Michel Vorm was equal to the effort.

Craig Bellamy then went close after taking advantage of hesitation from Neil Taylor, but flashed his shot wide, before Carroll was again denied by Vorm.

The game looked set to finish goalless until Graham found half a yard of space in the area and finished cooly after being found by a cute pass from full back Angel Rangel.

The victory saw the Swans finish just five points behind the Anfield club, who will be looking to add to their squad over the summer after a disappointing league campaign.



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Swansea City

1
Michel Vorm
Goalkeeper
3.00
6
Ashley Williams
Defender
46′
3.00
3
Neil Taylor
Defender
3.00
45
Steven Caulker
Defender
3.00
22
Ángel Rangel
Defender
86′
3.00
7
Leon Britton
Midfielder
3.00
11
3.00
12
Nathan Dyer
Midfielder
79′
3.00
24
Joe Allen
Midfielder
3.50
22
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Midfielder
89′
3.00
10
Danny Graham
Striker
86′
3.00

Liverpool

3.00
32
Doni
Goalkeeper
3.00
2
3.00
5
3.00
23
3.00
34
3.00
11
3.00
14
2.00
19
2.50
33
Jonjo Shelvey
Midfielder
3.00
7
3.00
8

Substitutes

25
 - 
5
Alan Tate
Defender
 - 
16
Garry Monk
Defender
 - 
15
3.00
27
Mark Gower
Midfielder
89′
 - 
38
Gwion Edwards
Midfielder
 - 
19
Luke Moore
Striker
 - 

Substitutes

 - 
1
Bradley Jones
Goalkeeper
 - 
3
 - 
16
 - 
20
Jay Spearing
Midfielder
 - 
31
3.00
11
Dirk Kuyt
Midfielder
73′
3.00
39

Coach/Manager

-
 - 

Coach/Manager

 - 
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Manchester United
26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool
23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham
21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa
19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City
19 0