Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen stressed that with Manchester United beating Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, it was important that the Reds did their job against Swansea last night.

A goal from midfielder Jordan Henderson helped Brendan Rodgers’ men to register a hard fought win at the Liberty Stadium over the Swans and maintain the pressure on fourth placed Manchester United.




Liverpool struggled to establish their dominance in the first half and it was only Simon Mignolet’s brilliance that allowed them to go into the break with the scores still level.

However, the Reds raised their performances levels after the break and scored a fortuitous winner when Jordi Amat's clearance deflected off Jordan Henderson and into the net.
 


Allen admits that Swansea were clearly the better side in the first half, but lauded Liverpool’s fighting qualities in rescuing all three points without performing at their peak level at the Liberty Stadium.

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“Three points mean everything but we had to dig deep”, Allen told LFC TV.

“Especially in the first half, Swansea were certainly the better side and made it really difficult for us.

“Thankfully we regrouped at half time and it was important that with that performance we had to get in there at 0-0. We came out after the break and gave a much better account of ourselves and got three points.”

With Manchester United thumping Tottenham at home on Sunday, Allen stressed that it was important that Liverpool also got a win to set-up a mouth watering clash at Anfield between the age-old rivals next weekend.

“It will be significant [in the top four race] I am sure but one that as players you always look forward to.

“And I think it was important that with them getting three points earlier this weekend that tonight we added three points ourselves and keep ourselves within touching distance.”

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