Liverpool vs. Swansea City: Preview, Team News, and Ways to Watch

A victory over Plymouth Argyle gave Liverpool a winning feeling for the first time this year. Modest opponents and heavy rotation in the FA Cup Third Round replay ensured that the game wasn't an indicator of how Jürgen Klopp's first-team players are doing, but after two draws against Sunderland and Manchester United, Swansea City should be ideal opponents for a first league win in 2017.

Liverpool have drawn two games after going ahead, and while a draw at Old Trafford is far more acceptable than taking a point at the Stadium of Light, there can be no credible excuses for failing to take all three points at Anfield against a side at the bottom of the Premier League table. Bob Bradley is no longer head coach after being sacked just before the New Year, leading to the highly-rated Paul Clement taking over. Clement is Swansea's third head coach of the season and started with a 4-0 thrashing at home to Arsenal last weekend.

Philippe Coutinho started the midweek FA Cup replay against Plymouth in central midfield as the Brazilian international continues to build his match fitness. He made a promising cameo against Manchester United in thirty-odd minutes is his customary inside left position and created a fine chance for compatriot Roberto Firmino as soon as he joined a tense encounter. 65 minutes against Plymouth should result in another hour or so in the first Premier League game of the weekend. Coutinho's inclusion combined with the number of senior players absent against Plymouth makes it easier to predict a likely starting line-up.

Joël Matip is no longer injured but cannot play for Liverpool until FIFA make a decision on his availability during Cameroon’s AFCON participation. Matip hasn't played for Cameroon in over a year and made it clear, for some time in fact, that he wasn't going to play any international football this month. In his absence, Ragnar Klavan will remain Dejan Lovren’s centre back partner after both were rested in midweek. Klopp gave his entire first-team a break against Plymouth, but Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi started as Firmino returns to the middle of the front three.

Adam Lallana should fill in for Sadio Mané on the right, giving Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can a chance to develop an understanding in midfield alongside the consistent Jordan Henderson. The captain returned from his heel injury flaring up to help Liverpool against Manchester United, and thankfully, he is set to start tomorrow. There was a concern over the fitness of Nathaniel Clyne after the freakishly durable right back missed the trip to Old Trafford, but Liverpool will be able to count on him as Anfield tastes Premier League action for the first time this year.

Swansea have signed Luciano Narsingh, Tom Carroll, and Martin Olsson to help avoid relegation to the Championship. All three could feature at Anfield as Clement assesses his options. The speedy Modou Barrow is a doubt for the trip to Anfield, but only Neil Taylor and Jefferson Montero are definitely ruled out through injury. Swansea’s terrible defensive record will need to be improved upon against the Premier League’s top scorers, but this is the type of game that should encourage the home side.

UPDATE: Joël Matip has been cleared by FIFA to play for Liverpool. As a result, it is possible that Matip returns in place of Ragnar Klavan. The key issue, though, will be Matip’s match fitness having not played any competitive football since 11 December.

Kickoff is set for 12.30PM GMT/7.30AM EST tomorrow on BT Sport 1/HD in the UK and NBC in the US. Elsewhere, Optus Sport in Australia, Sportsnet World in Canada, Star Sports Select HD1 in India, Astro Supersport 3 in Malaysia, and 102 (HD) mio Stadium in Singapore are carrying the match. Online radio coverage is provided by BBC Radio 5 Live. You can find full listings at LivesoccerTV.

We'll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it's released, our live matchday thread and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on all the action as it happens.