Liverpool host Swansea City at Anfield in the Premier League this Saturday.
Swansea City may have been boasted by the fact that they travel to a Liverpool side this weekend that will not have Sadio Mane to call upon, but should the Swans be just as concerned about the man who is coming back at arguably the perfect time for Jurgen Klopp’s men?
HITC Sport’s James Rutherford and Michael Ramsey appear to think that Philippe Coutinho’s potential first league start since late November could prove just as harmful to their hopes of securing a positive result as Mane’s presence in the team would have been.
Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho
“I think Coutinho’s return’s timed perfectly with Mane going [to the Africa Cup of Nations],” HITC Sport’s James suggested.
“I think it’ll be very, very comfortable for Liverpool.”
Reds supporters will know that, on paper, a home game against the team currently situated at the bottom of the Premier League will represent their best chance of securing the three points.
Swansea City manager Paul Clement
And James suggested that the Swans have too many issues to be able to upset the apple cart while they are on Merseyside.
“Other than the fact they can’t defend or score, I think they’ve got a chance,” he joked.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, both Michael and James are not expecting a close game when Liverpool host Swansea on Saturday. But to find out their thoughts in full, as well as their predictions, simply watch the preview at the top of the page…
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