Good morning! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's early Premier League kickoff as Swansea City host Liverpool at the Liberty Stadium. Both sides do still have something to fight for this season, with Swansea not yet mathematically safe and Liverpool looking for a European place, but the visitors at least may have their minds elsewhere ahead of their Europa League clash with Villarreal on Thursday. Before we get into all that, however, let's take a look at the team news...

SWANSEA STARTING XI: Fabianski; Rangel, Amat, Williams, Taylor; Britton, Cork, Sigurdsson, Routledge, Montero; Ayew

SWANSEA SUBS: Nordfeldt, Naughton, Fernandez, Ki, Fulton, Barrow, Gomis

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Ward; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Smith; Stewart, Chirivella, Ibe, Ojo, Coutinho; Sturridge

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Mignolet, Benteke, Lallana, Lucas, Brannagan, Teixeira

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, there are no real surprises as far as the home side are concerned, with Andre Ayew once again leading the line for the Swans here. Alberto Paloschi is sidelined with a hamstring injury and there were suggestions that Gomis might come into the starting lineup as a result, but Francesco Guidolin has kept faith with Ayew up front for today's match.

There is no doubt that the main danger man for Swansea this season has been Gylfi Sigurdsson, though. The Iceland international has scored more goals (11), had more shots on target (30) and created more goalscoring chances (54) than any other player in the Swansea squad this season, and Liverpool will have to keep a very close eye on in both in terms of creating chances and getting on the end of them this afternoon. He has been a bright spark in an otherwise disappointing season for the Swans.

Swansea have made two changes in all to the side that were thrashed by Leicester last time out, with one of those coming in midfield as Jefferson Montero, who has been very hit and miss this season, replaces the injured Fer. Montero has shown at times that he has the ability to really hurt opposition defences, but there are questions over his work ethic when it comes to defending and he hasn't always been a regular starter this season. He gets the nod today, though, alongside Routledge, Britton and Cork in midfield.

The second change comes in defence as Amat replaces Fernandez at the heart of the back four, slotting in alongside Ashley Williams. Williams has been another of the good performers for Swansea this season, although he wouldn't have been happy with his display against Leicester last time out, with a couple of errors leading to goals against the title-chasing Foxes.Angel Rangel and Taylor continue on opposite flanks, while Fabianski once again tends the goal.

As for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp was expected to make changes to the starting XI today and he hasn't disappointed, although considering that there are still one or two surprise inclusions. The one that leaps out is Philippe Coutinho, who pre-match was thought of as one of the most unlikely players to be included having come off at half time on Thursday with illness. The Brazilian was expected to be rested for today's match, but he starts instead.

He will provide support for Sturridge, who was once again left out of the starting XI for a big game on Thursday and, if today's selection is a hint, may be forced to sit on the bench again for the second leg. It is hard to think what else Sturridge can do to earn a starting berth having scored in six of his last seven Premier League appearances, including in each of the last four. He has a good record against Swansea too, scoring four goals in four Premier League starts against the Swans for Liverpool.

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In all, only three players keep their place from the side that started on Thursday, and oddly they are usually the players who get rested for matches like this. Clyne has been left out a couple of times recently with one eye on upcoming games, but the full-back is included this evening in defence alongside Lovren. Skrtel is also named at the back, with the defender having slipped down the pecking order of late. Today is a real chance to prove his worth with Sakho sidelined for the foreseeable future.

With the exception of Coutinho it is all change in midfield for the visitors today as Klopp brings in a group of youngsters, including Stewart, Chirivella, Ojo with limited first-team experience. Ibe is the exception in there having feature at this level fairly regularly over the past couple of seasons, but it is still a very youthful midfield unit for Liverpool. In goal, meanwhile, there is a start for Ward as Mignolet earns a rest.

Swansea will certainly feel that they stand a chance looking at that lineup for Liverpool, and they could do with a positive result today for a couple of reasons. Realistically, they are already safe from the drop having reached the 40 point mark, but it is always nice to have the security of mathematically certainty, which they will have with a victory this afternoon. Eight points separate them from the relegation zone with three games of their season remaining.

For the first time in a while, Swansea can start to look up the table over the closing weeks of the season, with an 11th-place finish certainly not beyond them. That would represent a very good rescue job from Francesco Guidolin, with the club sitting in the relegation zone when he was confirmed as manager in January. Yesterday's results mean that four points now separate Swansea from Everton in 11th, but that will be a target for Guidolin.

The veteran Italian will have selfish reasons for his side wanted a positive end to the season too, with his future still very much up in the air. His contract only runs until the end of the season and, despite Guidolin saying that he wants to stay at the club, Swansea are expected to look elsewhere, with Brendan Rodgers the favourite to return to the Liberty Stadium. Guidolin can certainly look back on a job well done should he depart, though, having comfortably fulfilled his mandate of keeping the club in the division.

In truth, the Italian has little else to prove following that achievement and having won six and lost just five of the 14 games since he was confirmed in January, including victories over Arsenal and Chelsea. However, if his fate is lying on the remaining games of the season then it could be a tough ask for him, with Swansea taking on Liverpool, West Ham United and Manchester City in their final three games. It is not a kind end to the campaign whatsoever, particularly for a team who looked to have taken their foot off the pedal since reaching 40 points.

A 1-0 win over Chelsea saw them past that total, which is usually more than enough to stay in the division, but since then they have not impressed at all - which won't be doing Guidolin any favours for his hopes of staying at the club. They come into this match having conceded seven goals in their last two games, scoring none in reply. They have only lost one of six before that, but a 3-0 loss to Newcastle was followed by a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Leicester last weekend. One more defeat would see them lose three in a row for the first time in 2016.

They have, however, won their last three home games all by a 1-0 scoreline, and have only been beaten twice in their last nine outings at the Liberty Stadium, winning five of those. Another victory this afternoon would see them claim four in a row at home for the first time in the top flight since March 1982, and despite their league position they actually boast the ninth-best home record in the division this term. It is their away form that has let them down for much of the campaign.

Their last five home league victories have all been by a 1-0 scoreline, and that has contributed to an impressive run of six clean sheets from their last nine league outings at the Liberty Stadium. It is at the other end where the problems lie, though, with only Aston Villa having scored fewer home goals this season. It is not just a problem at the Liberty either - Swansea have converted a league-low 31% of clear-cut chances this season.

Liverpool had their own problems in front of goal during the early days in Klopp's reign, but the goals are now flowing for the Reds despite their blank in midweek. Before yesterday's matches, only the top three had scored more goals in the Premier League this season, with Liverpool boasting the likes of Firmino, Coutinho, Sturridge and Origi, before his injury, in good goalscoring form.

Those goal are coming home and away too. Liverpool have scored 12 goals in their last four away Premier League games, and 17 in their last six. However, in all competitions they have only won one of their last five matches on the road, although three of those have come in the Europa League, where they have picked up two decent draws and Thursday's gutting defeat at the hands of Villarreal at El Madrigal.

The Reds could be forgiven for having one eye on the return fixture in that tie today, with Klopp's side needing another Anfield comeback in Europe if they are to progress into the Europa League final. It looked for a long time like being a textbook away European performance, with Liverpool keeping Villarreal's danger men quiet and looking quite comfortable in the process. However, the defence went to sleep just once, and that was enough for Suarez to set up Adrian Lopez for the only goal of the game. Liverpool now must win at Anfield on Thursday to stand any chance of going through.

That loss is their only defeat in their last eight games in all competitions, since their collapse against Southampton on March 20. They have only lost two of their last 19 outings in all competitions inside 90 minutes too, although that period has seen them beaten by West Ham United in extra time and Manchester City on penalties. There is certainly an increasing level of consistency under Klopp, though, with Liverpool seemingly heading in the right direction.

In the Premier League, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last five matches since that loss to Southampton, which is their only defeat since the start of February, when they were beaten by Leicester. They have won six and drawn three of those games, but remain four points adrift of fifth place and too far out of reach of the Champions League places. Victory in this match would close the gap on fourth to just one point, but Manchester United could open that again later in the day should they spoil Leicester's party at Old Trafford.

One of the big issues for Klopp to address in this Liverpool side is their ability to hold on to a lead. Their most recent league outing saw them squander a two-goal advantage to draw against relegation-threatened Newcastle United, which made it 19 points dropped from winning positions this term. Heading into the weekend, that was a league-high figure, and one that Klopp will be desperate to improve.

Liverpool's last three games of the season after today come at home to Watford and Chelsea, and then a final-day meeting with West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns. Liverpool may fancy their chances of picking up quite a few points there, but they do of course have the Europa League semi - and perhaps the final - to worry about too. Klopp's recently team selections have suggested that the Europa League is by far his priority, but a strong end to the Premier League campaign would give the Reds a safety net.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff at the Liberty Stadium, which means that it is time for a prediction! Liverpool's team selection makes this a little more difficult than it might have been otherwise, but their second-string side has generally done well in the last few weeks. Swansea are not on great form at all and seem to have slowed down since reaching 40 points, so I'm going for a 2-0 away win.

Swansea have only ever beaten Liverpool once in the Premier League before, with that victory coming here at the Liberty Stadium in May 2013 when Danny Graham got the only goal of the game. They will be glad to be playing this match in South Wales too having never won a league game at Anfield before, losing 12 and drawing three of their 15 matches.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Swansea in all competitions, which includes an ongoing run of five consecutive victories. Overall they have won six of those eight games, with two draws, and despite their weakened side they will fancy their chances of extending that record should Swansea put in a similar performance to their last two outings.

The reverse fixture between these two sides in November saw Liverpool edge to a 1-0 win at Anfield as James Milner scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. Swansea didn't have a single shot on target during that match, and they drew another blank the last time Liverpool were at the Liberty Stadium, with Jordan Henderson scoring in a 1-0 win on that occasion.

Before kickoff, Swansea pay tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy after the verdict that the 96 fans were unlawfully killed. The Liberty Stadium rises as one to applaud. Great to see.

KICKOFF: Liverpool get us underway for this match as they look to pick up a victory to take into Thursday's second leg in the Europa League semi-final.

The hosts have made an encouraging start to this match, looking to get on the front foot early. There will be a fear that this match could be a typical end-of-season contest, but Swansea haven't started that way.

Liverpool get their foot on the ball now and spend a decent spell in possession, settling into the game. It is all coming inside their own half, though.

Nothing to report so far here, with all of the play being in the middle third of the pitch and neither side even threatening the final third so far.

The conditions may play a part this afternoon, with a skiddy surface making it so balls over the top will need to be perfect to prevent them racing away.

CHANCE! The first hint of a chance falls the way of Liverpool as Ibe comes down the left channel and squeezes a cross in to Sturridge. The striker tries to hook a volley in, but he hits it with his toe and it doesn't threaten the goal.

CHANCE! Swansea respond with a chance of their own as Ayew tees the ball up for Sigurdsson, who finds space just inside the area. He doesn't quite catch his effort, though, and it is straight at Ward.

CHANCE! That is quickly followed by another chance for Swansea as the ball is slid through to Ayew down the left channel. He gets a lucky bounce off Lovren as the ball pops up for a volley, but he lashes it wildly off target.

This is a really good spell for Swansea, who are very much on top right now. Liverpool are giving the ball away far too easily and don't look particularly comfortable in possession.

Skrtel comes through the back of Ayew to give Swansea a free kick in a good crossing position, with Sigurdson standing over it...

Sigurdsson lifts it into the area and, despite there being no real pace of the ball, Liverpool struggle to get it clear before finally clearing their lines.

CHANCE! Very important piece of defending from Lovren as Montero and Cork combine to find Sigurdsson, who diverts the ball into the path of Ayew, but Lovren gets across to make a very good block.

First blood goes to the home side, and it is really poor defending from Liverpool. Sturridge is the man mainly at fault as he makes a poor attempt at stopping the run of of Ayew, who proceeds to nod the ball in from close range. That was far too easy for the Swansea man.

Liverpool look to respond and have a penalty shout as Coutinho dances his way into the area before going down, but Roger East says no. Coutinho looked to have just lost control of the ball before going down there.

SAVE! Ibe works space for himself to shoot after a decent spell of pressure from the visitors, but the Liverpool winger doesn't catch his shot too sweetly and in the end it is fairly easy for Fabianski to make the save.

CHANCE! Big chance for Swansea to double their lead, but Ward pulls off a big save! Swansea come forward down the left flank and it is too easy for them to pull a cross back into the middle. Cork is unmarked in the box and goes for goal, but Ward gets his foot to the ball and Routledge can't connect properly with the rebound.

YELLOW CARD! Smith becomes the first name in the book for a foul that gives Swansea a free kick in a good crossing position.

CHANCE! Sigurdsson fires the cross into the middle with plenty of pace on it and Amat is there getting his head to it from close range. He really should score, but he gets under the ball and nods it over the crossbar.

Good footwork from Sturridge after Taylor had gifted possession back to Liverpool deep inside the Swansea half. Coutinho found the striker, but Britton got back well to knock the ball behind for a corner.

SAVE! Ward is forced into another save here as Chirivella gives the ball away in midfield to invite pressure on the defence. Montero carries it forward and tries to sneak a toe-poke into the bottom corner, but the keeper gets down well to make the save.

This really has been a poor performance from Liverpool so far today. They are lacking any of their usual zip and energy that they have under Klopp, and they are really struggling to keep the ball too.

Swansea double their lead, and it is nothing more than they deserve. Cork simply wants the ball more than the Liverpool players to pick up the ball in midfield, with no red shirts even contesting it. Cork is allowed to bring the ball forward unchallenged, and he curls a brilliant finish into the corner past a helpless Ward.

Liverpool have done fairly well with second-string sides in the last few weeks, but this is a really poor display. I wouldn't be surprised to see changes from Jurgen Klopp at the interval.

SHOT! Almost a lovely goal from Sturridge as he collects a through-ball from Ojo and tries an audacious chip over Fabianski. The idea is right, but Sturridge just gets the application wrong as the ball drops past the post.

SAVE! Another effort from Sturridge, but this one is a little more speculative as he lets fly from range. However, it is a routine one for Fabianski to keep out.

YELLOW CARD! Clyne joins Smith in the book for a challenge from behind on Montero, although the Liverpool man did appear to get a foot on the ball there.

The initial free kick comes to nothing, but once again Swansea are first to the second ball and Montero hooks a bicycle kick towards goal that Williams is just short of turning goalwards from close range.

YELLOW CARD! Cork also goes into the book for a foul on Stewart after the Liverpool man had turned him smartly.

Ibe tees up Coutinho from around 25 yards and the Brazilian takes a touch before putting plenty of power behind his effort, but it takes a deflection on its way behind.

Chance for Liverpool to threaten right at the end of the half here as Britton trips Coutinho in a very good position for a free kick...

SHOT! It's Sturridge who goes for goal, but he fires it high and wide. Poor effort from the striker.

There will be one minute of added time at the end of this half.

Roger East brings an end to the first half at the Liberty Stadium, and it has not been a good one for Liverpool so far. They have offered very little and have failed to get into any sort of rhythm, with Swansea first to every 50-50 and seemingly wanting it more than the visitors. Klopp made eight changes for this game, and you can certainly tell.

The opening goal arrived after 20 minutes, and it was far too easy for Swansea as Ayew raced in to plant a header home from close range. It was Sturridge's job to block the attacker, but he looked half-hearted in doing so and in the end it was a fairly simple finish for Ayew.

The Swans doubled their advantage shortly after the half-hour mark, and again Liverpool's defending could have been a lot better. Cork showed far more desire that the visiting midfielders to win the ball in midfield, and neither Skrtel or Lovren closed him down either. Nothing should be taken away from the finish, though, with Cork curling a beauty into the corner.

In truth, it could be worse for Liverpool at the halfway stage. Cork missed a particularly good chance before eventually doubling his side's lead, with the midfielder stealing into the box late and arriving unmarked. He tries to feed the ball into the bottom corner, but Ward made a big save with his foot and Routledge couldn't turn the rebound home.

KICKOFF: Swansea get us back underway for the second half at the Liberty Stadium, and it is no surprise to see Liverpool make a couple of changes at the break. Chirivella and Coutinho make way to be replaced by Lucas Leiva and Christian Benteke.

There just isn't any of the usual tempo about Liverpool's play today. All of their possession seems to be coming in their own half and is of no danger to Swansea whatsoever.

Lucas has already seen a lot of the ball since coming on at half time, and you'd expect Liverpool to dominate possession for the remainder of the game now. They have offered very little threat in the final third, though.

Liverpool sportingly kick the ball out for Ayew, who went down under the challenge of Lovren. The Swansea man was caught on the top of his foot, but that wasn't bad enough to stop play for.

Liverpool have been so sloppy in possession in this match, and Lovren almost gives Swansea a chance to get in behind when his pass is under-hit towards Smith. Routledge steals in, but slips when racing through and it comes to nothing.

Liverpool have had 66% possession in this second half, but they haven't been able to create anything out of that. Swansea are looking very comfortable right now.

CLOSE! It may take something like this for Liverpool to get back into this match, with Swansea very nearly scoring an own goal. Ojo's cross was too high for Benteke, who went down in the area to no avail, while Taylor is there at the back post to put it just past his own goal.

It is all far too slow for Liverpool, who are passing sideways or backwards among the defence before even thinking about going forward.

Decent spell of pressure for Liverpool as they remain in and around the Swansea box for a prolonged period, but the hosts deal with everything that comes their way, blocking shot and clearing crosses before Taylor knocks the ball behind for a corner.

Lifeline for Liverpool! They pull a goal back here, and it is poor defending from Swansea this time as they leave Benteke completely unmarked from a corner to nod home. The red shirts were queuing up to pu that in, and if Benteke didn't finish it then Stewart would have.

As quickly as Liverpool pulled one back, Swansea restore their two-goal advantage. It is a messy goal, with Liverpool initially looking like they had dealt with the danger before Montero managed to get the cross in. Liverpool have plenty of red shirts back there, but they can't deal with the danger and Ayew eventually squeezes an effort through a crowd of bodies and into the corner.

That was such a poor goal for Liverpool to concede, particularly having just hauled themselves back into the game. Far from sparking them into life, Liverpool's goal actually seemed to galvanise Swansea, who have been fairly quiet for the majority of this second half.

As poor as Liverpool have been today, take nothing away from Swansea's performance. They have bounced back from a couple of back-to-back heavy defeats and are well deserving of their lead here.

SWANSEA SUB: Change for the hosts here as Kyle Naughton replaces Montero.

YELLOW CARD! Rangel is the latest player in the book for a block on Ojo.

Liverpool's afternoon goes from bad to worse as Smith mistimes a challenge when going for a 50-50 after Fabianski had punched the ball clear, picking up a second yellow card as a result. There can't be too many complaints there.

YELLOW CARD! Martin Skrtel also goes into the book for a sliding challenge on Sigurdsson.

CHANCE! Big chance for Swansea to get a fourth! A corner bounces through and hits Sturridge on the arm, with the loose ball dropping to Ranger. He strikes it towards the top corner and for a moment it looks like it has flown in, but it went the wrong side of the post.

LIVERPOOL SUB: The visitors make their third and final change as Cameron Brannigan replaces Ibe.

Klopp has had a wry smile on his face throughout this game. He can't be happy with what he has seen from his side today. Under strength or not, this has been poor.

SAVE! Swansea go in search of a fourth as Sigurdsson brings the ball forward, but his curling effort is straight at Ward, who makes a comfortable stop.

SHOT! Another shooting chance for Sigurdsson as the loose ball drops to him, but his first-time effort on the turn zips wide of the target.

There will be four added minutes at the end of this match.

SWANSEA SUB: Late change for the home side here as Britton is replaced by Jay Fulton.

Roger East puts Liverpool out of their misery following a drab and dire performance from the weakened visitors, but for Swansea it is a really good win and one that guarantees once and for all that they will be playing Premier League football again next season. Andre Ayew scored either side of Jack Cork's goal for the hosts, while Liverpool could only muster a Christian Benteke header in replay as they lost to Swansea for only the second time in the Premier League.

That is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's match as Swansea secure Premier League safety with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Liverpool. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction from both camps. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!