Liverpool 1 Swansea City 0 player ratings: Who impressed as James Milner's penalty saw Reds scrape a win?

Emre Can and Leon Britton were among the best performers

Liverpool's players congratulate James Milner on opening the scoring (Getty Images)

It was hardly "boss, tha'" but Jurgen Klopp will be relieved to have claimed his first home Premier League win as Liverpool manager at the third time of asking.

The home side were 'givin' it bifters' in the first 25 minutes, as wave after wave of attack rained down on the visitors. Swansea looked like the embattled side they had been billed as but, with Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Jordon Ibe miscuing, Klopp's side failed to turn their feverish, threatening dominance into cold, hard goals.

After half an hour, Garry Monk's side began to grow in confidence and Wayne Routledge, in particular, posed a threat. However, when the half-time whistle sounded, neither 'keeper had been truly tested.

Liverpool began the second half in the same way they had the first and finally broke the deadlock after Neil Taylor was judged to have handled Ibe's cross. The ball struck in raised forearm at close range and the visitors had a case to argue but referee Anthony Taylor was convinced. James Milner stepped up and dispatched the penalty well.

Swansea attempted to play their way back in and enjoyed much of the late pressure but were found ultimately lacking in key areas up top. Jefferson Montero's introduction threatened to expose a tiring home defence but his end product was poor.

How did we rate each player in Liverpool's narrow win? Take a look at our gallery to find out...

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