Brendan Rodgers comes up against his former Swansea City captain Garry Monk on Monday night as the Welsh side visit Anfield, with the Swans three points ahead of the Reds in the table.

Liverpool have endured a tough winter, although they were 1-0 winners at Burnley on Boxing Day. Raheem Sterling got the winner on Friday and, despite Fabio Borini’s recall to the squad, is likely to start up front for the Merseysiders, with Adam Lallana and Phillipe Coutinho making up a front three.

Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet came on for Brad Jones in that win at Turf Moor after the Australian suffered a thigh injury. The Belgian ‘keeper had been dropped by Rodgers after a dip in form but will line up between the sticks against Swansea, who he conceded five goals too last season.

Dejan Lovren and Glen Johnson are both still out, so Mamadou Sakho is likely to continue at centre-back, while summer signing Emre Can will come in a right back.

Jonjo Shelvey, who returns to Anfield to take on his old club, was described as ‘lazy’ and told he needs to ‘wise up’ by his current manager Monk:

“It is about doing your job properly and responsibly, understanding the role you are playing, not just for yourself but for the team,” Monk said.

In last season’s fixture between the two sides at the Liberty stadium, Shelvey had a hand in all four goals, two for his side and two for Liverpool. On loan Tottenham midfielder Tom Carroll could be in line to replace the England international.

Swansea, who have never won a league match at Anfield, will be without Ecuadorian winger Jefferson Montero who has a hamstring injury.

Monk is expected to rotate his squad in the busy festive schedule, with Jazz Richards, Bafetimbi Gomis and Wayne Routledge all in line to start.

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