James Milner penalty gives Liverpool victory over Swansea City

A second-half penalty from James Milner has given Liverpool a 1-0 win over Swansea City this afternoon.

The hosts controlled possession throughout the first half, but were unable to create any clear opportunities, as Eder touched the game’s first chance wide for Swansea.

Jordon Ibe looked the most likely for Liverpool in the opening 45 minutes, as the youngster was twice thwarted by backpedaling defenders in one-on-one opportunities with Swans keeper Lukasz Fabianski Alberto Moreno was presented with a decent opportunity to break the deadlock on the stroke of half time as Liverpool were awarded a free kick, but the Spanish full-back curled his effort over the bar.

Swansea improved after the break, and had the second half’s first chance on 50 minutes as Ki Sung-yeung pulled the trigger from outside the box, only for his shot to fly over the crossbar.

The match’s first shot on target came in the 52nd minute, as Fabianski parried an Ibe effort away for a corner, while Dejan Lovren headed over the bar from the set piece that followed. Liverpool were awarded a penalty after the hour mark as Neil Taylor was deemed to have handled the ball from an Ibe cross. James Milner stepped up to take the spot kick, and fired past Fabianski.

Milner could have doubled the hosts’ lead on 75 minutes when substitute Jordan Henderson – on his return from injury – released the former Manchester City midfielder towards goal, only for the finish to sail wide of the net. Swansea livened up in the game’s final minutes, as Bafetimbi Gomis and Jefferson Montero had efforts on goal blocked, before Ashley Williams headed over the crossbar from a corner.

Liverpool held off their visitors’ late onslaught though, earning three points to move Jurgen Klopp’s side up to sixth place in the Premier League.