Brendan Rodgers’ men will be keen to make amends for their recent defeats but Goal.com’s betting expert is backing the Swans to cause the Reds problems

Liverpool suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of West Bromwich Albion on Monday night before going down by the same scoreline against Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League.

Brendan Rodgers’ men will be desperate to make amends for those results when they face Capital One Cup finalists Swansea City at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds are chalked up as warm 3/5 (1.60) favourites with BetVictor to make amends for those losses by claiming their first victory of the season over the Swans at the third attempt when the sides meet this weekend.

Michael Laudrup’s men enjoyed a 3-1 Capital One Cup success over the Reds earlier in the campaign while the two sides played out a drab 0-0 draw when they met at Liberty Stadium back in November and BetVictor offer a chunky 5/1 (6.00) quote that the Swans claim a second Anfield scalp of the season while the same firm go 16/5 (4.20) that the sides are forced to settle for a share of the spoils once again.

It comes as little surprise to see Liverpool’s talismanic striker, Luis Suarez, top BetVictor’s first goalscorer market with the Uruguayan striker available at 16/5 (4.20) to score first while the same firm offer a tempting 17/4 (5.25) for Daniel Sturridge – who should be available for selection – and has scored four goals in six appearances since joining the Reds from Chelsea, to break the deadlock.

Swansea’s main goal threat, of course, is Spanish star Michu, who has scored an impressive 16 goals in his debut season in England thus far.

The former Rayo Vallecano man ended a six-game scoring drought last weekend with two goals in Swansea’s 4-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers and he can be backed at a juicy 7/1 (8.0) with BetVictor to open the scoring here while the same firm go 2/1 (3.0) that Michu hits the net at any time.

This seems set to be an open, entertaining match and, subsequently, the 5/6 (1.83) on offer from BetVictor for both teams to be on target is the best bet here while the irrepressible Michu should be backed at BetVictor’s generous 2/1 (3.0) quote to score at any time as a value selection.

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Willie Duncan is a freelance sports journalist. Willie, from Edinburgh, has covered Scottish football for over 10 years and he specialises in football betting markets from across Europe. You can also follow Willie on Twitter

The Reds’ only chance of silverware is hanging by a thread after a 2-0 defeat to Zenit in the Europa League, leaving the Anfield boss admitting he needs to add ‘men’ to his side

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says he needs to bring “men” into his team to add the character he believes they have lacked this season.

The Reds boss saw his side’s chances of a top-four finish all but come to an end when they lost at home to West Brom on Monday, before suffering a devastating Europa League defeat to Zenit, leaving them with only the slimmest chance of claiming silverware at the end of the season.

Rodgers believes the Merseyside club must replace their transfer policy of signing young promising talent with sell-on value with one that allows him to add experience to his squad.

“The biggest thing we need this summer is to bring in some men, some character that allows and supports the other men to see the games out,” Rodgers told The Mirror.

“That is the reality of it – we haven’t been good enough. In order for us to be up there consistently we need to improve in terms of our mentality.

“Technically we are very capable, tactically we have not been found wanting, the condition and intensity of their work is high so that only leaves you one thing – mentality. That is the area which needs to improve and to do that we need character.”

The Liverpool boss highlighted Jamie Carragher, who is set to retire at the end of the season, as an example of the type of character his side needs.

“Look at Jamie Carragher, he is our best defender, he is 35 but we are losing that character,” he added.
 
“That has to be replaced. I also think there are other areas of the team that need improving.

“You have to establish character, they have to be players, that is the key thing. They need that hunger to want to succeed.”

The Reds’ only chance of silverware is hanging by a thread after a 2-0 defeat to Zenit in the Europa League, leaving the Anfield boss admitting he needs to add ‘men’ to his side

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says he needs to bring “men” into his team to add the character he believes they have lacked this season.

The Reds boss saw his side’s chances of a top-four finish all but come to an end when they lost at home to West Brom on Monday, before suffering a devastating Europa League defeat to Zenit, leaving them with only the slimmest chance of claiming silverware at the end of the season.

Rodgers believes the Merseyside club must replace their transfer policy of signing young promising talent with sell-on value with one that allows him to add experience to his squad.

“The biggest thing we need this summer is to bring in some men, some character that allows and supports the other men to see the games out,” Rodgers told The Mirror.

“That is the reality of it – we haven’t been good enough. In order for us to be up there consistently we need to improve in terms of our mentality.

“Technically we are very capable, tactically we have not been found wanting, the condition and intensity of their work is high so that only leaves you one thing – mentality. That is the area which needs to improve and to do that we need character.”

The Liverpool boss highlighted Jamie Carragher, who is set to retire at the end of the season, as an example of the type of character his side needs.

“Look at Jamie Carragher, he is our best defender, he is 35 but we are losing that character,” he added.
 
“That has to be replaced. I also think there are other areas of the team that need improving.

“You have to establish character, they have to be players, that is the key thing. They need that hunger to want to succeed.”